Any levies or taxes introduced by the Government to mitigate carbon emissions should not impact those living in poverty, the President of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Ireland has said. “The vast majority of the people that we visit rely on fossil fuels to heat their homes,” Kieran Stafford told The…
A Christian charity in Northern Ireland has welcomed the decision to clear a Vietnamese man of all criminal charges on account of him being a victim of human trafficking. Hung Van Nguyen (43), who had been living in Co. Tyrone, became the first person to be exonerated under NI’s Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice…
The Mexican bishops’ conference has expressed its concern about the immigration and tariffs agreement reached between the governments of the US and Mexico. Mexico has agreed to take measures to reduce the number of migrants to the US, in order to avoid tariffs being imposed. Some 6,000 National Guard troops will be assigned to Mexico’s…
Pontiff releases World Day of the Poor message Pope Francis has challenged Catholics to be a source of hope for those in poverty, especially in the face of divisions in wealth and a throw-away culture. Last week the Pontiff released his message for the third annual World Day of the Poor, which will take…
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…
Chai Brady