Pictured at the inaugural ‘Miles for Mission’ fundraising walk in the Phoenix Park, organised by World Mission Ireland, was Kenyan Ambassador to Ireland, Richard A. Opembe accompanied by religious participants in the event. The 5km walk was held as part of the mission month of October celebrations, with proceeds raised going to the Love and…

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has offered a personal donation to restoration works on the tomb of Jesus at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Mr Abbas announced his intention to make such a donation during an October 17 visit to the West Bank of Christian Church leaders representing the faith traditions having special responsibility for…

The son of the late Munster rugby player Anthony Foley has launched a Facebook prayer appeal in honour of his father. Eleven-year-old Tony created the online appeal just hours after he lined out with younger brother Dan and his father’s team-mates at Limerick’s Thomond Park to pay tribute to Anthony, who died suddenly in Paris…

Pakistan’s parliament has discussed two legislative bills directly affecting minority religions. Amid ongoing abuses of the country’s blasphemy laws – and the uncertain position of imprisoned Asia Bibi – politicians have discussed both the establishment of a ‘Pakistan Minority Rights Commission’ and a law to prevent forced conversions. Under proposals for a Minority Rights Commission,…

The chairperson of the Central Catholic Library has insisted there is no crisis after almost a third of the library’s board members dramatically resigned after a recent meeting. The Irish Catholic understands that six long-standing board members – including the keeper of the collection and the treasurer – resigned last week having lost confidence in…

A site in Jordan which is traditionally seen as the site of the death of Moses is reopening for public access after a decade. Located on the 1,000-metre Mount Neba, some 20kms south of the capital Amman, the site has been a place of pilgrimage from at least the 1930s when monks took responsibility for…

There have been calls for a change to “oppressive” equality legislation in Northern Ireland in the wake of the failed Ashers Bakery appeal. Following a decision by the Appeals Court in Belfast to uphold a discrimination finding against the McArthur family in refusing to decorate a cake in support of same-sex marriage, the Christian Institute,…

Vatican refuses to be drawn on Rome-Beijing deal The Vatican is refusing to comment on a report by news agency Reuters that it is close to a final agreement with China on the appointment and official recognition of bishops. Amid rumours of progress in ongoing talks between representatives of the Vatican and Beijing, Reuters has reported that an agreement will be announced…

Kilmainham Gaol is a “sacred space”, Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said, declaring the prison sanctified by the men and women who were executed there after the 1916 Rising. Speaking at a Mass in the prison chapel, Dr Martin said rather than being formally consecrated as a sacred space, the prison was sacred “because of…

Iraqi children who escaped fi erce fi ghting in Mosul rest on the ground October 20 upon reaching the Syrian border near Hassakeh. Photo: CNS