Category: News

Caught in a cycle of violence

Peace is coming too slowly to South Sudan, writes Paul Keenan It is said that history repeats itself, and nowhere is this more true than in the conflict-riven state of South Sudan. A bold claim, perhaps, for a country barely five years old – July 9 will see Independence Day from greater Sudan celebrated across…

Mother Angelica dies at 92

Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA, known to millions globally as the foundress of the EWTN Global Catholic Network, died peacefully at 5pm on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, surrounded by the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama. “This is a sorrow-filled day for…

Derry youth community building up parish

Members of the Derry Youth Community – Charlotte Gormley, Andy Watts, Emmanuel Bicego and Christopher Bird – with a model of Eugene’s Cathedral built from Lego, which was presented at the Chrism Mass celebrated at the cathedral by Bishop Donal McKeown. Photo: Stephen Latimer

CAR lives in hope following papal visit

The Central African Republic is “experiencing a season of hope”, according to a Carmelite missionary based in the capital city Bangui, who believes that Pope Francis’ November visit to the country “significantly contributed” to this. Fr Federico Trinchero, whose convent Notre Dame du Mont Carmel has housed more than 5,000 displaced people since civil war…

Precious Life welcome new abortion guidelines

Staff Reporter Pro-life campaigners in the North have welcomed the publication of new abortion guidelines which they say protect the life of both mother and baby. The guidelines, issued on the evening of Good Friday, follow years of debate on how to bring clarity to abortion practice in Northern Ireland, where unlike in Britain abortion is…

Former students end lawsuit against diocese in England

Former students of a Catholic college in Manchester who allege they were abused by three priests based there have abandoned their lawsuit against Salford diocese. The men, one-time students at St Bede’s College, argued that the diocese had failed to protect them from sexual abuse perpetrated as far back as the 1950s by three priests,…

Vatican Roundup

Pope’s reminder of the source of salvation Only God’s infinite mercy can bring us salvation, Pope Francis said in his Easter message. Describing the world as “full of persons suffering in body and spirit”, with the daily news full of stories of brutal crimes and large-scale armed conflicts, the Pope said “the risen Christ points out paths of hope to beloved…

Coalition ‘alienated’ religious voters

Dr Martin Mansergh has insisted that the Fine Gael and Labour coalition “alienated” religious voters during their time in Government. Writing in The Irish Catholic this week, Dr Mansergh said that politicians and speech writers “whose anti-clerical invective may have won applause in the national media” now “need to reflect on where public attitudes really…

Cratloe children perform Passion play

On Friday, March 11 the pupils of fourth class in St John’s National School in Cratloe, Ennis in Co. Clare re-enacted a play called ‘No Way Out’ in what has been described as a “very moving ceremony” in St John’s Church. The play was choreographed by Maura Kitching, with musical direction by class teacher, Bernadette…