It might seem an obvious thing now, what with so much talk about the environment and “going green,” but humans have taken many approaches to the natural world throughout history. Sometimes, even when we talked a good game, our actions belied that we viewed the created world as something to be plundered, used and abused,…
Edwardo Campos Lima Members of indigenous groups were the largest number of people murdered in land disputes in Brazil in 2022. According to the Bishops’ Conference’s Land Pastoral Commission (CPT), which releases a report on rural conflicts every year, 47 people were killed last year as a result of such disputes – and 18 of…
World leaders – including those from the Church, humanitarian and diplomatic community – have appealed for a return to dialogue to save Sudan, as fighting triggered fears of a humanitarian catastrophe in the northeastern African country. The leaders are pushing for a ceasefire, humanitarian access and respect for civilians and civilian structures, as the Sudan…
Dale Gavlak Some 20 years after the US-led invasion of Iraq started and six years after Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State, whose attacks started in 2014, the country’s religious minorities are still trying to surmount challenges. According to the UN International Office for Migration (IOM), more than 200,000 Yazidis who survived the Islamic…
Hundreds gathered in Long Tower Parish, Derry, for a week of talks and prayer in honour of Sr Clare Crockett, the Derry nun killed in Ecuador seven years ago. Guest speakers including Andrea Corr, Fr John Joe Duffy of Creeslough, Co. Donegal and Sr Elena of the Servants of the Home of the Mother, Sr…
Roman Imbroglio: Italy and the Irish During World War Two, by Isadore Ryan (Published by the author, available through Amazon, €24.99 / £22.19; contact isadore.ryan@gmail.com) Dermot Keogh This is a most welcome, widely-researched and original book. It covers untilled historical ground, introducing readers to a ‘new’ cast of Irish men and women religious and diocesan…
Catholics gathered at the continental level say the Church must be united, not uniform, and embrace its many forms of expression throughout the world, said members of the synod preparatory commission after a weeklong meeting at the Vatican. “I think one of the most important things we have experienced during these ecclesial, continental assemblies, is…
There’s a saying attributed to Attila the Hun, a fifth Century ruler infamous for his cruelty, which reads this way: For me to be happy, it’s not just important that I succeed; it’s also important that everyone else fails. I suspect that Atilla the Hun was not the author of that, but, no matter, there’s…
Queen’s University Belfast’s chaplaincies hosted an ecumenical prayer breakfast to open last week’s conference to mark 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian chaplaincies gathered with students, staff, members of university senate, Church leaders and Ministers of State to pray for continued peace. In…
Fr John Harris OP Recently I visited our Irish Dominican community in Rome. By God’s good grace we have the care of the ancient basilica and convent of St Clement (San Clemente) since 1677. In the list of popes St Clement is ranked as third after St Peter (Peter, Linus, Cletus, Clement). He is said…
Ruadhán Jones
Fr Ronald Rolheiser