Famous Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg has offered his love, prayers and blessings to people across the world, in observance of Ash Wednesday. The popular celebrity, well-known from movies like Ted and Transformers, posted a special message to his 12 million Instagram followers at the beginning of the Lenten season. “It’s here – one of my…
Four British doctors are attempting to take their professional body to the High Court over an assisted suicide survey they believe is illegal. The doctors, two of whom are Catholic, say they believe the Royal College of Physicians has acted “unfairly and unlawfully” by setting a super majority of 60% of votes to retain the…
Chaplaincy services continue to play a vital role in the experience of third level students in Ireland and abroad, the chair of the Third Level Chaplains Association of Ireland has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic following a gathering of third level chaplains in Rome organised by the European Episcopal Conference, Fr Ger Dunne OP…
Ash Wednesday reminds us of the world to come, Francis says Marked with ashes, Christians set off on a Lenten journey where they strive to leave behind everything that will turn to dust and instead focus on drawing closer to God and the promise of eternal life, Pope Francis has said. In his homily at the Dominican-run Basilica of Santa Sabina last week, the Pope…
Married couples with children are more likely to be satisfied with their relationships and family life than their unmarried peers, according to a new international survey. The Global Family and Gender Survey looked at family trends in 11 countries including Ireland. It found while 18% of married couples have had ‘serious doubts’ in the past…
Warm tributes paid to Monaghan priest Clogher’s Bishop Larry Duffy has paid tribute to Fr Brendan McCague after it was announced last weekend the Carrickmacross priest is to retire from active ministry after almost 46 years of service in different parts of the diocese and in various roles. “Until my ordination as bishop I worked with Fr Brendan in Carrickmacross…
An Irish human rights charity has called on Pakistan’s new ambassador to Ireland to ensure that religiously persecuted Asia Bibi and her husband are granted permission to leave the country. Church in Chains, an Irish charity that encourages prayer and action in support of persecuted Christians worldwide, wrote to Mr Sardar Shuja Alam today requesting…
An Irish cardinal has praised Pope Francis’ recent announcement regarding the opening of the Vatican Secret Archives from the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII. “I am grateful to His Holiness for taking this welcome step and allowing scholars to examine the records of Pope Pius XII’s pontificate during the Second World War,” Cardinal Timothy…
Cardinal George Pell, 77, was sentenced to six years in prison today, just over two weeks after a Melbourne court allowed the publication of news that he had been found guilty of sexually abusing two boys. Cdl. Pell, who continues to maintain his innocence, will try to appeal the verdict. The court has set June…
A young man has been arrested for the ransacking and “desecration” of an historic church crypt in Dublin. The person is in his 20s and was arrested yesterday (March 7) over the break-in at St Michan’s Church of Ireland Church. The incident involved the theft of the head of an 800-year-old mummy known as ‘the…
Colm Fitzpatrick
Chai Brady