The annual Veritas conference for religious educators took place in St Patrick’s College Maynooth on October 1. Gathering educators and other stakeholders in religious teaching from across Ireland, the conference offered talks, exhibitors and workshops for attendees, all under the theme ‘Connect, Communicate, Celebrate’. According to Pamela Mcloughlin of Veritas, as in previous years, the…

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

Social Justice Ireland (SJI) has urged the Government to prioritise “investment over tax cuts” in the forthcoming Budget. Issuing a call ahead of next week’s Budget for 2017, Fr Sean Healy, SJI director said: “1.3 million people (29% of the population) are experiencing deprivation. This means they are going without basic necessities such as heating…

In a heartfelt letter as he announced his retirement due to ill-health, Bishop Liam McDaid of Clogher has urged people not to opt out of the Church over the failings of some priests and bishops. In a letter to the people of Clogher explaining that his Parkinson’s disease had not left “much room for discussion”…