In response to the recent revival of interest in walking Ireland’s pilgrim paths the third annual pilgrim walk has been launched in Cashel, taking place from August 24-31. The five ancient routes which will be walked over this period are: St Finbarr’s Pilgrim Path, Co. Cork; Cnoc na dTobar, Co. Kerry; Cosán na Naomh, Co. Kerry; St Kevin’s Way,…
More than 150,000 people are set to descend on Knock for their annual Novena, with this year said to have special features as it celebrates 140 years since the Apparition. The novena began this week on Wednesday and featured a talk from former Taoiseach John Bruton. It runs from August 14-21 and includes speakers such…
The bishop of the Diocese of Elphin has criticised adults who facilitate underage drinking by giving or selling it to young people. Bishop Kevin Doran mentioned that a number of young people were drinking at a summer festival in Sligo over the weekend on the diocese’s Facebook page. He said: “The streets were full of…
The president of the Polish bishops’ conference confirmed the country’s Catholic Church will resist “LGBT ideology” as equality campaigners demanded the dismissal of an archbishop who branded gays and lesbians a “rainbow pestilence”. “People belonging to so-called sexual minority circles are our brothers and sisters for whom Christ gave his life,” Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki of…
Over 1,000 young people will descend on Kildare this weekend to celebrate one of Ireland’s biggest faith festivals. The Youth 2000 Summer festival – taking place in Clongowes Wood College from August 18-22 – will see young people gather to celebrate their Faith in a fun and vibrant way. “It’s the biggest, most exciting youth…
The standing committee of the Panamanian bishops’ conference has expressed its concern over a migration reform bill, asking that it be humane and respectful of the rights of immigrants and refugees. They urged that immigrants and refugees not be seen as a threat, or blamed for the social ills affecting the country. The bishops released…
Catholics must accompany the excluded and discarded – Pope Christians are called to tend to the wounds of the suffering and the downtrodden just like the apostles who brought comfort and healing to those in need, Pope Francis said. The Church does not close its eyes when confronted with the sufferings of others but instead…
TV star Dog the Bounty Hunter has urged a thief who burglarised his deceased wife’s store to come forward, stressing his actions were unbiblical. Duane ‘Dog’ Chapman said he is willing to forgive the robber if they hand themselves in. His wife, Beth Chapman, last month died after a battle with cancer. Speaking at a…
Caritas volunteer helps in flood rescue mission A 52-year-old Caritas volunteer helped rescue more than two dozen families from a recent flood in Karachi, Pakistan. Francis Javed, a father of six who works as a cobbler, told ucanews.com that he received a phone call from Caritas Pakistan Karachi at 11am on July 30. They warned…
Two bills were announced in Wisconsin this week intended to protect victims of child sexual abuse. The Church in the state registered its strong objection to one bill’s intention to force violation of the seal of confession. The Child Victims Act would remove the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse, while the…
Colm Fitzpatrick