Following mob violence in east Pakistan that saw thousands of Muslims burn and vandalise churches and Christian homes, Pakistan-based missionary, Fr Liam O’Callaghan SSC described the scenes as “appalling” and “disturbing”. More than 100 people have since been arrested in the city of Jaranwala, where violence was sparked August 18 by claims that two Christian…
The number of abortions taking place in Ireland are “out of control”, the Life Institute has said, after new figures suggest as many as 10,000 terminations could be carried out in 2023. New data covering the first six months of the year indicate more than 5,000 abortions took place between January and June 2023. Figures…
Following the deaths of two competitors in an Ironman event in Youghal, Co. Cork, parish priest Fr William Bermingham has said that the whole town is “saddened” and that the community will be praying for both men who died during the event. The men who died have been named as 64-year-old Ivan Chittenden, from Toronto,…
Renowned broadcaster Seán O’Rourke has urged young people to “go the extra mile” and consider a vocation to the priesthood. In an address delivered in Knock Basilica on August 16, Mr O’Rourke, paid tribute to priests and religious who inspired him in his life, including his two deceased aunts, Cecilia and Anna, who were sisters…
The Church in Ireland had a bumper week for vocations, with two priests ordained and four men and women making their professions to religious life. Fr Mark Moriarity was first up, ordained a priest for Kerry diocese on Sunday, August 13, by Bishop Ray Browne. He was followed by Fr Mark O’Farrell, ordained a priest…
Every August, when the Rose of Tralee festival comes around, there’s a breakout of demands calling for it to be brought to an end – on grounds that it’s outdated, sexist, judgmental of women and all the rest. I may even have voiced such an opinion myself back in the dim dark past. But in…
Speaking to a packed Knock Basilica as part of the annual Knock novena, Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian SJ told the Faithful that the synod will be successful if it remains grounded in Scripture and the Church’s Tradition. Describing the Church as “divided,” Bishop McGuckian said that the Church can rely on the “anchors” of…
Pope Francis has announced that he is writing a second part to his 2015 environmental encyclical Laudato Si’. Speaking off-the-cuff at an audience with lawyers on Monday, the Pope said that he is updating the document to cover current issues. The Holy See Press Office Director, Matteo Bruni, confirmed that “the Pope is working on a…
As you read this, a courageous bishop is sitting in solitary confinement in a Nicaraguan prison – Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa. We are so flooded with bad news that it can sometimes be hard to care about a country thousands of miles away. The Irish Catholic has played a valuable role in helping us…
Mother Teresa’s imitation of Christ provides an example for us all, writes Amy Welborn No modern figure has been more revered as a saint in life, so the rapid progress of Mother Teresa’s cause from her death to her canonisation within two decades came as no surprise. From the day Mother Teresa rode on a…
Ruadhán Jones
Mary Kenny
Breda O'Brien