Accused priest tries to stop trial A priest accused of indecently assaulting a young girl over 40 years ago has launched a High Court action aimed at stopping his criminal trial from going ahead. The accused denies a charge that he indecently assaulted the girl in the mid-1970s at her home while watching a film…
Junno Arocho Esteves Pope Francis said his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, while brief, was a new page in relations between Christians and Muslims at a time when conflict and violence threaten the goal of lasting peace. Recalling his February 3-5 visit to Abu Dhabi, the Pope said during his weekly general…
Colm Fitzpatrick and Chai Brady Tributes are pouring in after a Laois-based priest died yesterday in a “tragic accident” involving his car. Fr John Cummins (52) of Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, died after an incident at his home on the Ballinakill Road yesterday at around 4.30pm. It is understood that no else was injured in…
Parishes and comunities need to take responsibility for tackling the country’s housing crisis, leading homelessness campaigners have said, calling for pressure to create political will around the issue. “Trying to get people out of homelessness while others are coming into it is like trying to empty bathwater with the taps full on,” Fr Peter McVerry…
The Irish Government should “be working tirelessly” to offer Asia Bibi asylum here according to a group who fight Christian persecution after another effort to prevent her release was batted away. Pakistan’s Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking a review of the verdict that acquitted Ms Bibi of blasphemy on Tuesday. The National Director of…
A clarification from RTÉ accepting that there was no evidence for a claim that Bishop John McAreavey concealed child abuse has apparently disappeared from the station’s website. On Morning Ireland in August it was stated that the diocese had hidden documents concerning child sexual abuse from a child safeguarding audit led by the National board…
Irish missionaries have condemned the actions of an Islamist terrorist group who detonated two bombs at a cathedral in the Philippines killing 20 people and leaving over 100 injured. Fr Shay Cullen, who has worked in the Philippines for 50 years defending human rights under the PREDA Foundation, said he was “shocked”. Speaking to The…
Political leaders across Ireland and Britain need to work together to show leadership around Brexit, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh has said. Describing border communities as “worried” and “anxious” about the UK’s impending exit from the European Union, the Primate of All-Ireland told iCatholic.ie that they “are wondering what is going to happen, and when…
A Sligo-based priest has resorted to using bottled water for the Mass, following ongoing drinking restrictions on the local water supply. Fr John Glynn of Kilmatigue parish said that as a result of a boil notice imposed on customers supplied by Lough Talt in Sligo, he has turned to shop-bought bottled water for mixing with…
The decision to cease pilgrim Masses in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela for the next year is unlikely to affect numbers of pilgrims on the Camino, according to an Irish pilgrimage company. “I think the overall pilgrimage – the walk itself – is the experience. The pilgrim Mass at the end is the nice…
Greg Daly
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick