As a former student of canon law at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), I find myself reflecting on the remarkable legal and pastoral legacy of Pope Francis following his death, especially as the university prepares to celebrate its 600th anniversary in 2025. Founded in 1425, KU Leuven has long stood as a centre…
I experience a Church full of hope and willing to learn, engaged at all levels. From the bishops to the lay movements, there is a real commitment to walk together, writes Janet Forbes The Irish Catholic Church is at a crucial juncture in its synodical journey. With Cardinal Mario Grech’s recent letter to bishops around…
Interview with Dr Anna Rowlands in Maynooth who was in Ireland to give the annual Trocaire Lenten talk GARRY How did you get involved with the Vatican and the preparations for the Synod on Synodality? DR ROWLANDS So, my involvement started just before the Frascati meeting and I think because the Pope wanted this genuine…
Marking International Women’s Day on March 8 is a good moment to reflect again on the history of women within the Church and to imagine a different future. I recently came across the story of St Mary of Egypt, who ran away from her home to Alexandria at the age of 12, spending the next…
Diego Lopez Marina – ACI PRENSA With a radiant smile, paediatric physician María Dolores Rosique, known as ‘Lola’, to family and friends, recounted her testimony of healing after overcoming aggressive abdominal cancer. She believes her recovery began after visiting the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi, Italy, placing herself completely under his care.…
The National Synodal Team has released a list of themes and resources for proposed Spring Gatherings at local level nationally. Revisiting the generalised themes that emerged from the parish focus group stages of the Universal Synod in Ireland is useful, but three years after initial focus groups identified broad themes for discussion, the upcoming Synod…
In January 2022, as a way of actively participating in the Synod process on synodality, Cardinals João Braz de Aviz (Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life) and Mario Grech (Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops) sent a joint letter to all the general governments that are members of the USG (Union of Superiors…
Nicolás de Cárdenas In his acceptance speech for the honorary doctorate awarded him by the Catholic University of Valencia, Cardinal Kurt Koch rejected the extreme positions of progressives and traditionalists regarding the Second Vatican Council. The prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity reflected in his address on the tension between the two…
Pope Francis on Monday hosted an international summit on the rights of the child, lamenting the millions who daily endure war, poverty, abuse, exploitation, depression and a lack of hope for the future. The February 3 summit, held in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace and titled, ‘Love them and protect them’, featured…
Zoey Maraist A sea of heart-shaped cards, candy and decor reminds couples that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. But at the same time, many Catholic parishes are preparing to celebrate a related but different memorial to love – World Marriage Day. The holiday began in Baton Rouge in 1981 when marriage enthusiasts declared…