Category: News

Clarify SF stance on British law in North – bishop

Elphin’s Bishop Kevin Doran has called on Sinn Féin to clarify its position on attempts in the British parliament to impose abortion law in the North, something the party has previously opposed as an exercise of British authority in the region. Bishop Doran’s comments came after senior figures in Sinn Féin welcomed the proposed liberalisation…

‘By this sign shalt thou conquer’

Columbia’s first ever Tour de France winner wrapped up his historic victory on Sunday by making the sign of the cross with his younger brother and again with his mother. Egan Bernal, 22, the youngest cyclist to win the world’s most famous bicycle race in 110 years and the first Latin American to do so…

Italian bishops gift South Sudan with needed aid

An injection of $1.1million (€1m) will benefit humanitarian programmes, the resettlement of refugees and internally displaced people, and peacebuilding efforts in violence-ravaged communities in South Sudan under a programme initiated by the Italian bishops’ conference. Spread over three years, the gift coincides with South Sudan’s eighth anniversary of independence and will aid the country’s recovery…

Suspected culprits of Philippine terrorist attack identified

Indonesian authorities released the names of a couple whom they believe to have orchestrated a January terrorist attack on a cathedral in the Philippines. Dedi Prasetyo, spokesman for Indonesia’s National Police, said last week that Rullie Rian Zeke and his wife Ulfah Handayani Saleh had detonated suicide bombs at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral…

Notre-Dame architect fears building collapse

Almost four months after a fire destroyed the roof of Notre-Dame de Paris, officials are concerned that the building is still at risk of collapse. Now instead of a fire threatening the 850-year-old building, it is the record summer temperatures that may further erode the stonework. France, and most of Europe, is in the midst…

Aid agency condemns West Bank home demolitions

Trócaire has condemned the demolition by Israeli authorities of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, describing such demolitions as illegal and driven by a desire to disconnect communities. Responding to reports from the Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem that authorities planned to demolish 13 buildings – including at least 14 apartments – last week, the…