The Tokyo archdiocese has suspended all public Mass until March 14 as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Archbishop Isao Kikuchi issued the directive on February 25 for two weeks from the day after Ash Wednesday. The directive is in response to Japan’s government policy on measures to protect against the outbreak…
Bishops in the Middle East have called for a regional youth gathering similar to World Youth Day to be established for young Catholics in Arab countries. The proposed ‘World Day of Youth of the Arab Regions’ would take place in Jordan as the first host country with the goal of encouraging “mass participation”, according to…
A social media poll of over 700 people conducted by this paper has found 85% of people who voted are in favour of the Irish Church not cancelling Masses over coronavirus (Covid-19) fears. People were asked: “In parts of the world worst affected by coronavirus, Masses have been cancelled. Now that the virus has been…
Irish L’Arche Community Leaders are in “shock” and “anger” at what they see as the “betrayal” of founder Jean Vanier after revelations that he sexually abused multiple women. The heads of the charity’s four centres in Cork, Kilkenny, Dublin and Belfast spoke to The Irish Catholic about their ongoing work to help staff and supporters…
The rejection of a Christian ethics course by Mary Immaculate College (MIC) has been strongly criticised by the Bishop of Elphin, who has speculated in correspondence to the president of the college that he and the college must have come under “some kind of pressure”. A strongly worded exchange between MIC President Eugene Wall and…
Catholic boxer Tyson Fury gave thanks to God in his victory speech after being crowned the WBC heavyweight champion at the weekend. Tyson ‘Gypsy King’ Fury defeated the previously unbeaten Deontay Wilder in their eagerly-anticipated world title rematch at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Arena on February 22. Mr Fury, 31, was handed the WBC belt…
Priests around the country have been taking precautions due to the threat of the flu and coronavirus. While some efforts have been made in asking the congregation to pray for peace instead of offering a handshake and changing out holy water, many priests are wary of causing panic in their parish. Fr Tom Clowe PP…
An archdiocese in South Korea has suspended all Masses for two weeks and cancelled the Ash Wednesday liturgy in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus at religious gatherings. Archbishop Thaddeus Cho Hwan-kil of Daegu has banned all Church meetings until March 5 after new cases were reported from Christian congregations in parishes and…
US presidential candidate Joe Biden has highlighted his Catholic Faith in a new campaign advertisement released last week. The Democratic Party representative hopes focusing on religion will boost his ratings after seeing a sharp decline in his poll numbers following recent losses in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. Mr Biden, who is a…
Women are 14 times more likely than men to be killed by disasters resulting from climate change according to a report released by Trócaire. Released on Tuesday it notes that despite barriers for women engaging in decisions on climate change they “are often at the forefront of tackling climate change and human rights abuses and…
Chai Brady