Category: News

Worker inequality threatens society – US bishop

“Excessive inequality” threatens cooperation among all people in society, said Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, in the US bishops’ annual Labour Day statement. Bishop Dewane cited Pope Francis, who told factory workers in Genoa, Italy: “The entire social pact is built around work. This is the core of the problem. Because when you do…

Korean religious leaders urged to spread peace

The Pope stressed the need for interreligious dialogue and peace in a meeting with the Korean Council of Religious Leaders on Saturday. This comes as North Korea continues to develop and test nuclear weapons, which has created serious tension among world leaders. The US, Russia, and North Korea’s closest neighbours Japan, South Korea and China…

Vatican Roundup

Laugh at yourself, don’t be vain Pope tells youth Pope Francis told youth to steer clear of modern society’s narcissistic tendencies, which he referred to as a vain “illness”. The Pontiff spoke off-the-cuff to Spanish members of the Catholic Shalom Community during an audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall this week. He said they…

A canny leader with a gentle touch

As Archbishop of Westminster for nearly a decade, 2000 until 2009, Cormac Murphy-O’Connor began his term of office embroiled in a major scandal over an abuser priest, but rode through it to become a much-loved public figure in Britain, known for his soft Irish lilt, jovial good humour, and deep compassion. He was well known…

Diocesan family picnic offers creative reach out

The latest effort to answer Pope Francis’ call for the Church to “seek people out”, has been hailed a success following a huge crowd at the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin’s ‘Picnic in Punchestown’. In what is believed to be the first Irish diocesan picnic, over 4,000 people attended Punchestown racecourse on Sunday, including a…

UTV star hits back at Down Syndrome comments

UTV presenter Paul Clark has taken to social media to reject claims that children with Down Syndrome lead unhappy lives. The remark comes after a Twitter user said: “It’s unfathomable how anyone would want to put a soul through life suffering with Down’s. Religious driven madness.” The television presenter, who has a deep Christian faith…

African community celebrates decade of faith

The African Chaplaincy in Dublin, which provides support for African communities in Ireland, will be celebrating their 10-year anniversary this weekend. The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin will be the chief celebrant at a Mass where he will be joined by over five hundred members of the African congregation and several other members of…