Syriac Catholic bishops from around the world, meeting in Lebanon for their annual synod, lamented the plight of their “tormented and persecuted” faithful. In their final statement from the July 23-27 gathering, with Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan presiding, the bishops noted that they have “raised their voices high in front of the…
The top Vatican official who will accompany Pope Francis on his trip to Ireland this month has said he was “shocked” to hear allegations of years of sexual abuse and harassment by his former boss Theodore McCarrick. The Vatican announced at the weekend that Pope Francis had accepted Dr McCarrick’s resignation from the College of…
The International Federation of Catholic Universities’ (IFCU), an organisation of over 200 Catholic universities throughout the world, has elected its first female president. At the conclusion of the 26th General Assembly Meeting in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, last week Dr Isabel Capeloa Gil was elected as the organisation’s new president. She is the Rector of the…
An Indian federal agency has proposed abolishing the Sacrament of Confession on grounds that Christian priests misuse it to blackmail and target women, but Church officials believe the plan is an unnecessary interference in religious affairs. The National Commission for Women, a body that protects women’s interests, also proposed a federal inquiry into two cases…
Walkers from all over Ireland are taking part in the annual nine-day Walk to Knock to raise money for chronically hungry children in South Sudan and other countries where global hunger charity, Mary’s Meals provides school feeding programmes. Five groups walking under the banner ‘Step By Step To Feed The Next Child’, will set out…
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled it will allow the release of a redacted version of a grand jury report on a months-long investigation into sexual abuse claims in six Pennsylvania dioceses, some of which go back decades. In June the court had put a hold on the full report being released because it said it…
Chilean prelate to testify over alleged abuse cover-ups The Chilean prosecutor’s office has issued a subpoena to Cardinal Riccardo Ezzati of Santiago regarding his role in the alleged cover-up of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. In a statement released by the Archdiocese of Santiago, Cardinal Ezzati said he was committed to helping victims “search for the truth” and denied any…
More than 40% of those who will attend the World Meeting of Families in the RDS will come from overseas, giving the capital a huge injection of visitors. The three-day pastoral congress takes place from August 22-24 and is seen as an opportunity to reflect on the key themes chosen by Pope Francis for the…
Mary Carson honoured for ‘outstanding’ service Members of the Youghal Catholic Young Mens’ Society gathered in the town on July 20 to honour Mary Carson who was retiring as supervisor of the local Community Employment Scheme. A special evening was held for Mary and her family where huge praise was bestowed on Mary from the Honorary Vice President, Brendan Cooney for…
The Primate of All Ireland has expressed his sadness and condolences following the death of Bishop Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh, retired auxiliary Archbishop of Dublin. He died on July 29 in the care of the Blackrock Clinic after a long illness. Archbishop Eamonn Martin said he was “saddened to hear” about the death of the bishop…
Colm Fitzpatrick