Europe could die without a civilisation to give it life, writes Colm Fitzpatrick Why do some civilisations collapse to dust, whereas others are able to grow stronger and stronger? A quick glance at history’s fallen cultures like the Sumerian and Babylonian civilisations, as well as the Roman Empire, highlight the unwavering mortality of societies,…
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has ordered a review into the plight of persecuted Christians around the world and how much help they get from the United Kingdom. The review, to be led by the Anglican Bishop of Truro Philip Mounstephen, will look at government efforts to help some of the 215 million Christians who…
Pro-life activist Michael O’Dowd is to run for election to the European Parliament. The Renua Ireland member has announced that he plans to run in the North-West Midlands constituency vowing that the theme of his campaign will be ‘Family, Community & Country’. Mr O’Dowd said that “today, if you have a traditional view, you are…
Defending and protecting human life means rejecting abortion, caring for the sick, offering a decent welcome to immigrants, valuing the contributions of the elderly, encouraging families to have children and caring for the environment, the bishops of Italy have said. “We are called to welcome life before and after its birth, in every condition and…
The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, will meet survivors of clerical abuse before the highly anticipated Vatican meeting on the Protection of Minors from February 21-24, 2019. “As a priest and bishop, I have already met many survivors and have always found it a humbling yet important and worthwhile experience,” he told CatholicIreland.net,…
Bishop Silvio Jose Baez has reiterated his calls for dialogue and respecting human dignity in Nicaragua, where the president has crushed protests, closed critical media outlets and persecuted anyone – including priests – publicly opposing his administration. “Dialogue is not a fad or simple political strategy,” Bishop Baez said in his Christmas homily. “When we…
Amid Lebanon’s political and economic strife and uncertainty in the Middle East, Catholic patriarchs urged their faithful to forge ahead in hope at Christmastime. At least two patriarchs expressed concern about Lebanon’s failure to form a new government since parliamentary elections in May. In his Christmas message, Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai, patriarch of Maronite Catholics,…
In Christmas message, Pope prays for peace Delivering his formal Christmas message and blessing, Pope Francis prayed for a world where all people would recognise that they are brothers and sisters and would work for justice and for peace. The birth of Jesus proclaims that “God is a good father and we are all brothers and sisters. This truth is the…
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore on health grounds. While Dr O’Reilly was not due to retire until next year, the Vatican announced in a communique on December 31 that the retirement had been brought forward. A statement from the Catholic Communications Office said Bishop O’Reilly tendered his resignation…
Hannah Brockhaus When praying, remember the words of Jesus when he taught the ‘Our Father,’ Pope Francis said today, meeting God as his beloved child and speaking from the heart. Some think that to pray is to use many words. “I too think of many Christians who believe that praying is to talk to…
Colm Fitzpatrick