Cardinal calls for peace and combatting anti-Semitism Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel last week by calling for a shared commitment to religious freedom and combatting anti-Semitism. “The peace process and the future of the region are in the heart of…
Pope Benedict XVI is not dead and did not recently suffer a stroke, the Vatican confirmed yesterday. On Monday, rumours circulated on Twitter and other social media platforms that the Pope Emeritus had suffered a “mild ischemia” – a kind of stroke. “The rumours are false,” Alessandro Gisotti, director ad interim of the Press Office…
Like an orchestra conductor leading a symphony of different sounds and harmonies, the Holy Spirit creates a masterpiece of unity and communion that extols God’s love, Pope Francis has said. In creating this harmony, the Holy Spirit “makes the Church grow by helping it go beyond human limits, sins and scandal”, the Pope said on…
The Diocese of Hong Kong has made a rare foray into politics, issuing a statement urging the city’s government “not to rush to amend” the city’s controversial extradition treaty. The June 11 statement came amid continuing street protests, which on June 12 were broken up by police using tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets.…
The first Mass in Notre-Dame since the cathedral’s April fire will be said tomorrow evening in a side chapel that houses the crown of thorns, with celebrants expected to wear hard hats for safety. The June 15 Mass will be of the feast of the dedication of Notre-Dame, which is held June 16. It will…
The Society of African Missionaries (SMA) is en route to receiving a major UN award for their efforts to tackle desertification. Fr Maurice Henry, a member of the SMA’s Council for the Province of Ireland, was informed this week that his order were shortlisted for the 2019 ‘Land for Life Award’. The UNCCD (UN Convention…
Ossory’s Bishop Dermot Farrell has said he was “saddened” to hear of “inappropriate language and sentiments” in a homily preached in Kilkenny’s Capuchin friary over the weekend. Onetime UCC chaplain Fr Tom Forde had spoken on Saturday about “the abuse of drugs and alcohol, adultery, fornication and homosexuality, as well as in the acceptance of…
Clonliffe site may attract large bids A Dublin land sale is on the brink of finalisation as the GAA and the Archdiocese of Dublin await Vatican approval for the lucrative deal. The sale of more than 19 acres of land at Clonliffe College, Drumcondra, the site of Holy Cross Seminary, is at a critical stage…
Chai Brady and Colm Fitzpatrick Jesuit schools have welcomed a commitment to use proceeds from a multi-million euro land sale to help poor children and ensure the “survival” of the order’s mission. With a price tag of €55m on the Jesuits’ Milltown Park campus in Dublin, school ethos and bursaries were highlighted as being “critical”…
Independent Senator Rónán Mullen has criticised the circumstances around the burial of deceased asylum seeker, Sylva Takula, who died in 2018 and was buried by the State without ceremony last month, with no notice to friends and associates. Senator Mullen said there should be an investigation to establish how such insensitive treatment occurred despite repeated…
Chai Brady
Greg Daly