Category: News

All public Masses in Britain are suspended

Public Masses across England, Wales and Scotland have been suspended indefinitely amid the coronavirus outbreak. The bishops’ conference of England and Wales announced last week that, as of March 20, there will be no public acts of worship. However, they said that churches would remain open for private prayer. “During these disturbing and threatening times,…

In Brief

Indian parish sews and distributes free face masks A Catholic parish in India has stepped in to distribute free face masks in response to a huge shortage and surge in prices due to the panic caused by the coronavirus. Little Flower Latin Church is on a mission to provide materials free of charge to other…

Vatican Roundup

Pope
 establishes
 a
 new
 law
 for 
the
 Vatican Pope Francis has created a new law that will regulate the judicial system of the Vatican City State. The new law, announced last week, will provide greater independence for the judiciary and simplify judicial processes. According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the new…

Lighting 
a
 candle
 against
 coronavirus

A Wexford priest will be lighting a candle every day at about 8pm for all those involved in the fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19) as well as those affected. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr Tom Dalton PP of Riverchapel parish in the Diocese of Ferns said he found “great solace in it”. “I’ve decided…

Pro-life campaigners have criticised plans to offer unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy in the North

Despite the fact that 79% of those who responded to a public consultation opposed the changes, the British government today published regulations regarding the provision of abortion in the region that will come into effect next week. In 2019, abortion was decriminalised in the region over the heads of locally-elected politicians by British MPs in…

Archbishop pays tribute to those ‘wrapping a blanket of prayer and compassion’ around Ireland

Archbishop Eamon Martin has paid tribute to priests and pastoral workers who are reaching out to those who feel frightened and vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking at Mass this morning in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Colman in Newry, the country’s most-senior Churchman said “it is heart-warming to note the large number of people,…

Dozens of priests die in Italy Covid-19 crisis

Up to 30 priests have died in Italy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic gripping the country, according to the official newspaper of the Church there. Avvenire – the publication of the Italian bishops’ conference – reported that 28 priests were confirmed to have died from Covid-19, while two others died before they had…