The Christian governor of Jakarta, Indonesia, is to face trial for alleged blasphemy against Islam.  Basuki Purnama Tjahaja, often referred to a ‘Ahok’, fell foul of hardline Muslims in September when, during a political rally, he reportedly quoted the Koran’s 51st Surah which warns followers against voting for a leader of a different faith and…

Staff Reporter Archbishop Eamon Martin has expressed his hope that the impact of Year of Mercy will continue to be felt by all. In his homily at St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh during events to celebrate the conclusion of the year, the Primate of All Ireland said: “I pray that the graces of this special year…

Prelates enter war of words over Amoris Laetitia guidelines A war of words between the head of the Vatican’s congregation for the family and America’s Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia has erupted over the Amoris Laetitia encyclical. Following the archbishop’s issuing of guidelines in July for his archdiocese re-emphasising Church teaching that divorced-and-remarried Catholics cannot…

Education proposals ‘attack’ faith schools A new submission to the Department of Education from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) attacks the rights and ethos of faith schools, the Iona Institute has claimed. The institute has especially challenged the commission’s recommendation that faith schools lose their right to accommodate children of their religious…

Pope Francis closes the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica to mark the closing of the jubilee Year of Mercy at the Vatican November 20. Photo: CNS

Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe takes the opportunity to snap proceedings at Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, to mark the close of the Jubilee Year of Mercy last Sunday, November 20. Photo: Sean Curtin True Media.

“Preach always, and, when necessary, use words,” is a line frequently (though likely apocryphally) attributed to St Francis of Assisi. The papal version of the same idea might be formulated as: “Govern always, and, when necessary, issue decrees.” That is to say, pretty much everything a Pope does exercises leadership and shapes culture in the…

Clare priest celebrates president elect’s ‘pro-life’ values

A prominent pro-life campaigning priest in the United States is facing a Church investigation after he posed with an aborted infant lying on an altar in a video appeal for his supporters to vote for the presidency of Donald Trump. Fr Frank Pavone, the head of the Priests for Life group, faced harsh criticism for…

The Pope’s representative in Ireland has pledged to do all he can to help re-integrate priests who have been disciplined by the Church for promoting views contrary to Catholic teaching. Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown also said that Irish Catholics had to face up to the reality that parishes will increasingly be staffed by non-Irish…