Catholic parishes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been attacked and looted in a serious escalation of violence in the country. According to reports, militants in the central Kasai province, who have been fighting the military since August, have increased their attacks on civilian communities, bringing accusations of serious human rights abuses. “Violence…
“I’m giving up meat, cheese, eggs and butter for Lent. I really wanted to challenge myself this year and it is basically the historical way that people used to do it.” – Eddie (42) *** “I don’t give up anything for Lent. Life is tough enough and I would end up not sticking to it…
Archaeologists in the Holy Land have announced plans to excavate a previously untouched site associated with the story of the Ark of the Covenant. According to the Times of Israel, researchers have at last turned their attention to Kiryat Ye’arim, the location of a biblical town dating to the story of King David and mentioned…
The Bishop of Meath has signed a decree to establish what is believed to be the first new monastery in the diocese since the suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII. Bishop Michael Smith presided at the canonical establishment of the monastery at Silverstream Priory on Saturday, “erecting the Benedictine Monks of Perpetual Adoration of…
Catholic bishops from the United States and Mexico have spoken forcefully against the climate of fear for migrants and others which has arisen in America since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. In separate gatherings, prelates made statements to denounce “the exclusion and marginalisation” which threaten to divide families and punish the most vulnerable. In…
Ongoing difficulties forced survivor’s hand The sole Irish member of the Pope’s child protection commission has stepped down, three years after joining the Vatican body. Dubliner Marie Collins, one of two abuse survivors who were founder members of the advisory body in March 2014, is understood to have informed the commission of her wish to…
Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare & Leighlin and Bishop Michael Burrows, CofI Bishop of Cashel, Waterford, Lismore, Ferns, Ossory and Leighlin will lead a historic joint diocesan pilgrimage in June from Co. Carlow to Echternach, Luxembourg in honour of St Willibrord. St Willibrord was ordained in Co. Carlow in the 7th Century and is patron…
The future of the Catholic boarding school sector faces a serious threat in a changed Ireland, following the closure of Cistercian College Roscrea, which has been described as “a very sad death knell”. The announcement of the closure of the college, at Mount St Joseph Abbey in Co. Offaly, means there are now just two…
The Irish-made film The Call to Fatima has received the backing of both the Fatima Shrine and the Portuguese government in exclusively promoting the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions. According to filmmakers Thomas and Solvita McCormack, the award-winning DVD, now translated to 12 languages, “emphasises the importance of the Fatima Message left behind by…
A survey on proposals for a new primary school course in religion, beliefs and ethics used leading questions and drew from an unrepresentative sample, a prominent research institute has found. A study for the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) analysed an online survey conducted by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to…
Mags Gargan
Greg Daly
Courtney McGrail
Paul Keenan