Just in time for Pope Francis’ official visit next month, Ireland’s National Marian Shrine in Knock, Co. Mayo, has launched its first ever exclusive collection of prayers. The beautiful Knock Prayer Book is a collection of brand new prayers composed by Fr Richard Gibbons, rector at Knock Shrine for over five years, and carefully chosen…
The Australian state of Victoria has said a recommendation by the royal commission that it pass a law requiring priests to break the confessional seal to report cases of child sex abuse requires further consideration. Victoria attorney general Martin Pakula said on July 11 that the government needs to further consider 24 of the 317…
It was with heavy hearts that the people of the parish of Middletown and Tynan bade farewell to the Sisters of Saint Louis. The sisters have had a religious presence in the village of Middletown for over 140 years and were founded in Juilly, France in 1842. They first came to Ireland in 1858. They were invited by the…
Chai Brady and Davis Clark The Pontiff’s focus on a “global community” will help highlight the work of Ireland’s homeless charities during his visit, and change peoples’ perspective, according to Sr Stan Kennedy. Speaking to The Irish Catholic the founder of Focus Ireland said there’s been “negative” political discourse about families “gaming the system”. “Then there was others…
Indian officials are seeking to freeze bank accounts of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by St Mother Teresa of Kolkata, following the arrest of a nun on child trafficking charges in Jharkhand state. State police Chief D.K. Pandey wrote to the federal home secretary last week urging the freeze to facilitate an investigation into whether there…
Ireland to divest in global fossil fuels Ireland is on course to be the first country to sell off their investments in fossil fuel companies. A bill passed by the Dáil on Thursday is expected to also pass the Seanad quickly, possibly being put into law by the end of the year. The law will compel…
Elise Harris The Vatican’s former top advisor on canon law has made a public call to insert legal obligations for the care of creation into the Church’s universal canon law – making it a legal duty for Catholics not only “not to harm” the environment, but to improve it. According to veteran Vatican watcher…
Pope Francis has been urged to use his visit to Ireland next month to highlight Government inaction on climate change as targets continue to be missed despite political promises. Éamonn Meehan, executive director of Trócaire, said that the Pope’s leadership on a vital issue like climate change that imperils the future of the planet “will…
Matthew Carlson All events in the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) are booked out, with all 500,000 tickets for the closing Mass being reserved by Sunday, July 8, according to WMOF organisers. The Mass, which will be celebrated by Pope Francis, will take place in Dublin’s Phoenix Park at 3pm on Sunday, August 26. Within…
Pro-life taxpayers will have to foot the bill for abortions under new proposals approved by the Government this week, despite having a conscientious objection to the killing of unborn children. Minister for Health Simon Harris secured Cabinet approval on Tuesday. He also announced controversial plans to create so-called ‘safe access zones’ around clinics providing abortion…
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick