Christmas brings a “glimmer of hope and joy” to Christian families “terrorised” and driven out of their homes by ISIS in Iraq, according to Archbishop Eamon Martin. Speaking at a carol service in Armagh, Archbishop Martin told the congregation about his visit to Batnaya on the Ninevah Plains last week, and how he was brought…
Australian Cardinal George Pell has been found guilty on five charges related to serious sexual misconduct involving two boys at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in the 1990s. Cardinal Pell is expected to appeal the conviction. Sources said Cardinal Pell pleaded not guilty to all charges but was found guilty on December 11 by a…
Irish citizens who voted to protect the constitutional right to life during May’s abortion referendum should not give up hope, a prominent pro-life group has said. The remarks come after the news last week that the bill which allows for the introduction of abortion services in Ireland passed all stages of the Oireachtas and will…
The Vatican has said that while there are no immediate plans to add new members to the C9, Pope Francis has released the three eldest cardinals from the duties of the advisory group. Papal spokesman Greg Burke told journalists in a briefing last week that the Pope has sent letters to Cardinal George Pell, Cardinal…
A controversial priest who the Vatican removed from ministry in 2012 has said there is “no possibility” now of him signing a statement that he accepts the fullness of Church teaching. Writing on his website, Fr Tony Flannery CSsR says the head of his order has told him that although he had been withdrawn from…
The bells of every Catholic Church in Strasbourg rang for 10 minutes last week to honour the victims of a terror attack at a Christmas market the previous day. On December 11, a shooter opened fire on the crowd, killing three people and injuring 12 others. Police said Cherif Chekatt (29), presumably linked to radical…
A Pakistani official announced this week a new ‘Minorities Empowerment Package’ and the creation of a task force to ensure the rights of religious minorities in the province of Punjab. According to the Punjab Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs, Ijaz Augustine, the package will include new legislation and implement existing laws to assist…
Parents are relying on loan sharks to stave off Christmas debts, The Irish Catholic has learned. Although the festive holiday can be an expensive time of year, a well-known charity has revealed that parents are depending on extortionate money lenders to pay for Christmas expenses. According to Michael Deehan, who is based in one of…
A gunman opened fire inside a Brazilian church, killing four people and injuring four others before turning the gun on himself, police have said. The shooting occurred just as parishioners from Our Lady of the Conception Cathedral in Campinas, near Sao Paulo, were leaving a midday Mass. “I conducted the Mass at 12.15, at the…
A well-known Belfast priest has been honoured for services to the community by Queen’s University Belfast. Fr Gary Donegan, who is best known for his community and peacebuilding work in North Belfast’s Ardoyne area, was awarded an honorary degree by the university last Thursday. The Passionist priest, who was born in Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, and…
Greg Daly
Colm Fitzpatrick