Chinese officials have evicted members of the clergy, including a bishop, from their homes and are closing Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Fujian. While the officials cited “fire safety standards” as the reason for the evictions, all the clergy and churches affected have refused to join the Communist-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. The CPCA,…
Singer Daniel O’Donnell says he loves Mass but feels it’s a “shame” the Catholic Church has lost the trust of many people in Ireland. The 58-year-old Donegal native, who recently released his new single ‘Halfway To Paradise’, insists that he is a man of Faith but prefers to stay private on matters regarding his religion.…
Official Sunday of the Word icon unveiled at Vatican An icon of the encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus was chosen as the official logo for the worldwide celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God. The colourful logo is based on an icon written by the late-Benedictine Sr Marie-Paul Farran, a…
Scottish bishop investigated over plagiarism allegations The Pontifical Gregorian University has said it will review the doctoral dissertation of Scotland’s Bishop Stephen Robson, which is alleged to contain several acts of plagiarism. The institution’s “academic authorities have decided to proceed to a careful review of the dissertation in question, in accordance with what is established…
About 130 people attended a Catholic retreat in UCD from January 16-18 where discussion ranged from community building to challenges people of faith face in college. Speaking to The Irish Catholic co-ordinator of Ignite, Sarah Kate Moynihan, said the “response was insane, it went so well”. “It was a university event – all the Catholic…
A leading academic has said he hopes that the Catholic ethos of the country’s largest Catholic college will not be affected after authorities there rejected a new course on Christian ethics in healthcare. Academics at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick had been approached by hospital chaplains for professional training to deal with some of the…
After 283 years, the last of the Penal Laws in Ireland has been repealed by proposals to restore power-sharing that was backed by Stormont parties on January 10. The proposals put forward by Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Northern Secretary Julian Smith will repeal the Administration of Justice Act (Irish Language Act) 1737. Recognition It will…
Irish Catholics can support “dwindling” Faith communities in the Holy Land by visiting them and showing solidarity as they face increasing threat from Muslim extremism, an Irish bishop has said. During a visit to Palestinian Christians in the occupied territories of the Holy Land this week Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ of Raphoe said the number…
A secondary school pupil in Derry is causing waves on social media after refusing to follow school policy and shave his beard. Carrick McClean of St Columb’s College Derry received a huge reaction on Twitter with almost 3,000 likes and hundreds of comments of support after he published a letter he sent to his principal…
Fr Martin Magill says the return of power sharing is the new beginning he had hoped for. “Listening to people and politicians there’s no doubt about it, it has changed the atmosphere and lifted the mood, the fact that we have people dedicated to key issues.” said Magill, the parish priest of St John’s on…
Chai Brady
Michael Kelly