“More is needed” in helping the Travelling community to overcome the prejudice they suffer, a priest working with the community has said. Speaking during a memorial Mass for the first anniversary of the Carrickmines tragedy, in which 10 people died, Fr Derek Farrell, parish priest to the Travelling People said the devastating event should have…

John Reid The Government has been urged to provide more resources to ensure that a huge backlog in child protection vetting does not continue to hamper local schools. Educators have complained that the current system, while entirely welcome in its aim of safeguarding children, is at risk of defeating its purpose as massive delays are being…

Spiritan Bishop Maurice Piat from Mauritius, who studied for the priesthood in Ireland and Rome in the 1960s, said that he first heard the news of his recent nomination as cardinal when a friend phoned to congratulate him. He didn’t believe it.  Asked by a journalist what he thought his elevation meant, Bishop Maurice said…

Fr Jacques Hamel, the elderly French priest murdered in his church in July by Islamic fundamentalists, is to be fast-tracked to sainthood, it has been confirmed. Last weekend, as the church of Saint-Etienne-du- Rouvray was reopened during a Mass to purify the site of the murder of the 85-year-old cleric, Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen…

Anger greets release of Christian-killers in Turkey Christians in Turkey have been left outraged after five men convicted of the torture and murder of three Christians walked free from court. After a legal battle of nine years, it appeared that justice had been served for Ugur Yuksel and Necati Aydin, Muslim converts to Christianity, and German national Tilmann Geske, when a…

The Catholic Church in Mexico has reacted angrily to what it is calling a smear campaign against three priests recently kidnapped and murdered in the country. Last week, The Irish Catholic reported on the violent deaths of Frs Alejo Nabor Jimenez Juarez and Jose Alfredo Juarez de la Cruz in Veracruz, and that of Fr…

Fears move will damage economy

Pope Francis has brought messages of peace and mutual respect to the nations of Georgia and Azerbaijan. Visiting the countries over October 1 and 2 under the theme of ‘Pax Vobiscum’ (Peace to You), the Pope emphasised “peaceful coexistence among all peoples”. Addressing Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili, the Pontiff noted that “the Catholic Church, which…

Nationalist protestors involved in the Twaddell Avenue stand-off in Belfast rounded on Fr Gary Donegan on October 1 as the protest camp was dismantled after three years. Photograph shows Fr Donegan as he is confronted by Ardoyne resident Dee Fennell. Photo: Mal McCann/The Irish News

A bulldog reacts as Fr Dan Viertel, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Bellevue, Wisconsin, sprinkles holy water during a blessing of pets on October 1 in the church parking lot. The blessing was held in observance of the October 4 feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron of animals. Photo: CNS