Accused of historic sexual abuse Cardinal George Pell will face a four week committal hearing next year, and up to 50 witnesses are expected to be called upon. Cardinal Pell (76) is the most senior Catholic Church official to face such charges, and is currently on leave from his position as the Vatican’s Prefect of…
Polish Catholics from hundreds of parishes joined a rosary prayer along the border of the country to pray for Poland and the world. The event, called ‘Rosary to the Borders’ was held on the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7, and almost 320 Churches along the border were identified as…
It has been discovered that the head of the Legionaries of Christ’s Rome seminary fathered two children in yet another scandal for the order. In a statement, they announced that Fr Oscar Turrion, who was the rector of the Pontifical International, would leave the priesthood. It included a letter from the priest who asked “forgiveness…
Catholic leaders in Mali warned that parishes face increasing assaults by Islamic militants despite attempts to enforce a peace deal in the North African country. “Our churches and chapels are now being targeted by extremists, who’ve told Christians not to gather to pray,” said Msgr Edmond Dembele, Secretary General of the Malian bishops’ conference. Tensions…
China is a communist nation therefore the Catholic Church must be realistic and seek a stance of mutual tolerance with the government, said a former teacher at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University. “I’m an optimist, above all because I believe in God. God is the Lord of human history. Whatever way human history proceeds, it never…
An Irish missionary has been awarded for her dedication to the education and development of women in Sierra Leone. The President of Sierra Leone presented Sr Teresa McKeon with the award of ‘Officer of the Order of Rokel’ at a ceremony in Freetown. Sr Teresa has ministered in Sierra Leone since 1954 serving as a…
European Union dialogue to promote peace Hundreds of Church and EU political representatives will meet in the Vatican to discuss challenges facing the EU. Organised by the Holy See and COMECE – the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU – ‘(Re)thinking Europe’ will take place between October 27-29 and will mark the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the…
Missionary legacy inspired WMOF Pope Francis chose Ireland to host next year’s World Meeting of Families to make sure Irish Catholics would take part in a ‘revolution’ promoting marriage and family life, one of the Pope’s key advisors has said. Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who heads the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, said…
A Catholic Bishop has railed against alcohol lobbyist tactics which threaten the arts and leisure industry in reaction to a new alcohol bill that is now priority legislation in the Dáil, saying sports thrive regardless of their sponsorship. Bishop Eamonn Walsh, vice chair of the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative, said he had to admire the…
Efforts to deny rape survivors who had refused abortions speaking venues in Dublin are part of a concerted effort to shut down pro-life voices, Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín has said. Mr Tóibín was one of 11 members of the Oireachtas who last week signed a statement expressing concern about the increasing inability of businesses…
Greg Daly
Chai Brady