A precious relic belonging to St John Henry Newman was stolen from the Birmingham Oratory, it was announced this week. The Oratory said that the bone was stolen from its casket in the Newman Shrine. The Fathers have appealed for anyone who had seen any suspicious activity to come forward. “Sadly, the only piece of…
Pope Francis has appealed for the protection of women and children fleeing violence in Syria, where more than half a million people have been displaced in the past two months. Around 520,000 have been displaced from their homes since December during the Syrian government’s offensive in Idlib province – Syria’s last rebel-held territory – which…
Bishop Donal McKeown acknowledged the shortcomings of the institutional Church in response to the Troubles at the end of the 4 Corners Festival Belfast on Sunday evening. He discussed the book Considering Grace – Presbyterians and the Troubles by Gladys Ganiel and Jamie Yohanis in St John the Evangelist Parish Hall, West Belfast. The book…
The Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication has claimed that media has degenerated into platforms on which to disseminate hatred. Dr Paolo Ruffini said that communication is supposed to be constructive, connect people and promote understanding. However, the Vatican representative states that just as “evil cannot be fought with evil, truth cannot be served…
A Northern Irish charity has dubbed an MLA’s decision to speak openly about gambling’s severe impact on his life as “exceptionally brave”. CARE NI Policy OfficerMark Baillie welcomed Philip McGuigan’s openness regarding an addiction to gambling that cost him more than £100,000. “Stories like his help to raise awareness about the harms problem gambling can…
The Bangladesh High Court has called for the government to justify its stance on allowing prenatal gender detection technology, which groups favouring gender equality and the right to life are seeking to ban. The court stated that the government must explain its failure to regulate the technology should not be considered as illegal. Supreme Court…
The new church in the parish of Finglas West will be a positive change, said Fr Eamon Cahill, parish priest. Planning permission was granted on by Dublin City Council for the demolition of the Church of the Annunciation and the building of a new, smaller replacement seating 300 instead of 3,500. “It was so uncomfortable…
Catholics have joined activists in Kerala in seeking justice for two young Dalit sisters who were raped and murdered three years ago. The protest walks and fasts saw 4,000 people urging Kerala’s government to reinvestigate the deaths of the girls near Valavar in south India. The body of one girl, aged 13, was found hanging…
The foundation of a religious community of sisters in Tipperary has been described as “new life” for the diocese of Waterford and Lismore according to the bishop. The Sisters of the Home of the Mother began their foundation in Cahir at the beginning of this month with Mass in the parish church, St Mary’s. Bishop…
Bishop Denis McNulty has expressed his faith in the work of Accord Catholic Marriage Care, of which he is president, despite falling numbers. “A huge number of people are coming to our preparation’s courses, 15,000 that’s a huge number of people. And a huge number are coming to our counselling services.” A report from Accord…
Chai Brady