The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has expressed concern at the inclusion in last weekend’s Citizens’ Assembly meeting of a pro-abortion campaigner who “plans to politicise” the process. As the 99 members of the assembly gathered in Dublin Castle, the PLC revealed that “a very prominent pro-choice campaigner has been tweeting about his membership of the…

Staff reporter Legendary footballer Diego Maradona has revealed that his countryman Pope Francis has brought him back to his faith. Speaking at a recent press conference ahead of United for Peace, a friendly soccer match held in aid of the Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, a charity founded by Pope Francis, Maradona said: “I am with Pope Francis,…

Dromore diocesan changes Bishop John McAreavey has announced a series of new appointments in Dromore. Canon F. Boyle has retired as PP, Saval; Canon G McCrory has retired as PP, Magheradroll; Father Colum Wright has resigned as PP, Aghaderg and Adm., Donaghmore; Fr P.J. Murray, PP, Dromore to be pastor emeritus, Dromore; Fr Brian Brown, PP, Magheralin…

Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick has paid tribute to Munster rugby legend Anthony Foley who died in Paris on October 16.  “Anthony Foley was simply that big of a figure in the lives of every sports fan from Limerick, Clare and, of course, the wider Munster and Ireland fan base,” the bishop said in a…

The head of the Irish Church’s safeguarding committee has reiterated that keeping clerical abusers out of ministry remains an absolute priority for the Church. Her comments come against the background of an RTÉ documentary which questions whether the Church’s approach to priests who have harmed children or vulnerable adults demonises abusers and ultimately endangers children. …

John Reid Trócaire has given a cautious welcome to a major global environmental agreement reached last Saturday in Rwanda.  The landmark agreement limits the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the effort to combat global warming. HFCs are a key contributor to greenhouse gases, and environmental groups hope the Kigali Agreement, which modifies the 1987 Montreal Protocol,…

A Christian militia formed in Iraq to defend its community from so-called Islamic State (ISIS) has joined the battle to liberate Mosul. According to reports from the frontline as a coalition offensive got underway on the northern Iraqi city on Monday, some 1,500 Christian members of the Babylon Brigade are at the heart of the…

The Supreme Court in Lahore, Pakistan, received a written demand, signed by 150 Islamic clerics, for the immediate execution of imprisoned Christian woman Asia Bibi in the days before her latest appeal, it has emerged.  As judges prepared to hear what had been reported to be the woman’s final appeal against the death sentence handed…

Priest murdered in Brazil A murder investigation is underway in Brazil after a priest was discovered apparently stabbed to death on a roadside in Rio de Janeiro state.  Fr Francisco Carlos Barbosa, 37, was pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in the district of São Benedito in Nova Iguacu, and was last seen driving in the area.…

Bishop Smith pays tribute to Irish Columbans Bishop Michael Smith of Meath has hailed the courageous witness of the Society of St Columban on the centenary of its founding.  Following a special Mass on October 10 at the Columbans’ headquarters at Dalgan Park, Co. Meath, Bishop Smith welcomed moves by the Catholic Church in Korea to promote the beatifications of seven…