Italian cardinal and diplomat dies age 95 Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, former prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches and a long-time Vatican diplomat, died at his home in the Vatican on August 29 at the age of 95. Cardinal Silvestrini served in the diplomatic corps of the Holy See in Rome and abroad for nearly…
Two bishops ordained in China after agreement The ordination of Bishop Anthony Yao Shun of Jining in China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region was the first episcopal ordination in the country following the provisional agreement signed in 2018 between China and the Vatican. The ordination was “the first to take place in the framework of the…
Bishop William Crean has announced the latest round of clerical changes in Cloyne Diocese. He has accepted the retirements of Fr Donal Coakley as PP of Inniscarra, Canon David Herlihy as PP of Youghal and Canon Michael Fitzgerald as PP of Mitchelstown. Effective September 21, Msgr Anthony O’Brien PP of Mallow is also to become…
EXCLUSIVE A martyred former student of the Irish College has been hailed as a modern example of Christian faith in action, and an important reminder of how religious freedom remains threatened across the world. Former President Mary McAleese has described Fr Ragheed Ganni [pictured], who was murdered along with three sub-deacons by Islamist militants…
Irish missionaries based in turbulent Hong Kong are split on whether the military will take to the streets once more as fears of intervention from mainland China grow. Hong Kong has been wracked by increasingly violent mass protests for several months, with millions taking part. Irish Columban Fr Michael Cuddigan SSC told The Irish Catholic:…
A large group of devotees of Little Nellie of Holy God have been refused access to her grave in Cork by a security firm engaged by new owners of the land. A tense stand-off between security guards and pilgrims occured over the weekend, resulting in gardaí being called to the scene. About 100 people attended…
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has been accused of “speaking out of both sides of his mouth” after claiming that Christians in the Middle East have asked the Government not to speak up in their defence. Responding to a letter from Senator Neale Richmond about the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa,…
Housing scarcity and expensive rents have forced Dublin’s Capuchin’s Day Centre to provide “day-to-day” essentials for children and babies. Speaking in the centre on Monday to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland, its founder Bro. Kevin Crowley OFM Cap. said the welfare of families is a priority, but that the provision…
It is understood that Cardinal George Pell will appeal his conviction to the Australian High Court, following the decision earlier this month by the Court of Appeal in Victoria to uphold his conviction for child sexual abuse. It has been reported that the Australian prelate would be exercising his final appeal and that, while the…
A Scottish parish is praying for one of its young footballers who has just signed on to a premiere league team in a record-breaking deal. St Brendan’s Church, Motherwell, congratulated Kieran Tierney who earlier this month transferred from boyhood club Celtic FC to Arsenal for £25 million (€22.5mil). The parish said they hope the 22-year-old…
Greg Daly
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick