Courtney McGrailAt just six and a half months, Summer Hannon from Tallaght, Dublin is probably our youngest reader and her parents Anthony and Margo said she gave the paper a big “thumbs up”.
Category: News
Muslim leaders in Egypt condemn Christian killings
Leading Muslim groups and figures in Egypt have denounced the targeting of Christians by so-called Islamic State (ISIS). As Christians continue to flee the Sinai region after seven murders of community members, leaders of religious and political authorities have issued statements in support of their Christian countrymen and critical of the militants. Among them is…
Fatima statue tours Ireland
A statue of Our Lady of Fatima, blessed by Pope Francis, has begun a tour of Ireland to mark 100 years since the Marian apparitions at the Portuguese village. The statue was welcomed to the Archdiocese of Armagh, and has now begun its journey to dioceses North and South . The tour is being conducted…
South Sudanese prelates appeal for peace, trust
The Catholic bishops of South Sudan have stressed that they are not taking sides in the conflict currently affecting the nation and causing a growing famine. While continuing to denounce violence on all sides which has now reached depraved extremes, the bishops have been at pains to stress that they are “not against the government”…
Don’t unravel the peace process – primate urges
Mags Gargan
The Archbishop of Armagh has urged politicians in the North not to undo the progress made during the peace process following a return to a “language of division” in the run up to the Assembly election last week. Archbishop Eamon Martin expressed concern that the principles of the Good Friday Agreement “are perhaps not as…
Croatian prelate launches renewed criticism of Medjugorje
The bishop whose diocese includes the parish in Medjugorje has reiterated his belief that no apparitions have ever taken place at the site. In the wake of news that Pope Francis has appointed a special delegate to examine the pastoral situation at the famed Bosnia-Herzegovina site, Bishop Ratko Peri of Mostar-Duvno issued a message on…
New film strengthened Hollywood actor Sam Worthington’s faith
Hollywood star Sam Worthington has said that working on his new film The Shack helped him to better understand his relationship with God. The Shack is based on the 2007 novel of the same name by William P. Young, which follows the spiritual journey of a father, Mack, after suffering a family tragedy which makes…
China increasing pressure on ‘foreign’ faiths – report
China has been accused of increasing its interference in some faiths, including Christianity, in a drive to thwart ‘foreign’ religions. According to a new report, ‘The Battle for China’s Spirit’, from Freedom House, a US-based advocacy group for political and human freedoms, China is increasingly acting against followers of Christianity and Islam while at the…
Brutal attack will not stop missionary nun
An Irish Columban sister who was violently attacked by a masked assailant in the Philippines, will not let her “terrible ordeal” affect her work, according to her congregational leader. Sr Kathleen Melia (70), who is originally from Co. Leitrim, has worked as a missionary in the Philippines for over 30 years, in particular campaigning for…
Vatican Roundup
Pope prays for persecuted Christians The prayer intention of Pope Francis for March 2017 is “that persecuted Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church”. In a monthly reflection on the papal prayer intention, the Apostleship of Prayer notes that Pope Francis has asked for special prayers for persecuted…