Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. KH Nasaruddin Umar, emphasised the importance of religious tolerance and interfaith harmony during a colloquium and book discussion at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia on February 25. Titled ‘Salve Peregrinans Spei!’, the event focused on perspectives from 33 prominent Indonesian Muslim figures regarding Pope Francis’ visit. In his…
The upcoming inauguration of a Church in Ur of the Chaldeans, four years after Pope Francis’ visit, is a ‘message’ of openness, says Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Baghdad. The site, he hopes, will become a place of pilgrimage for Iraqis and believers from all over the world, Christians and Muslims, for Abraham “is…
Gina Christian – OSV Christianity’s decline in the US may have stalled, but signs of a long-term downward trend remain, according to a new Pew Research Centre survey. On February 26, Pew released the results of its 2023-2024 Religious Landscape Study, which polled nearly 37,000 US adults on a range of topics regarding religious belief…
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú – CNA On the occasion of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, scheduled for October 11–12, the original statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be taken to Rome. The famous image of Our Lady, known to the faithful throughout the world and a symbol of “hope that does not disappoint,” will be present among…
Msgr Raymond Murray had an uphill battle exposing human rights abuses, writes Martin O’Brien This in depth interview with Fr Raymond Murray was first published on November 14, 2013. It is being republished following the death of Fr Murray on February 25, 2025. “It was all about breaking the wall of silence,” explains Armagh priest…
Fr Joe Mullen I once heard an amusing description of the three stages of priestly ministry. Seemingly it begins at ordination with a big head, continues in middle years with a big belly and concludes when the Lord calls one home with a big funeral! As so often with the dig of gentle humour,…
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.…
Dermot Byrne As we approach the month of March and the much longed for stretch in the evening begins to make its presence felt, we can justifiably start to think about spring. Awaiting tender shoots, daffodils and the subtle hint of green that will soon return to the canopies of the woodlands, our minds…
Re-instating St Valentine? St Valentines Day was a hard day for me this year. It was a Friday, remember, an ‘ordinary’ weekday. And in my rural parish, weekday Masses are not big hits: usually it’s the sacristan and me and one or two others who concelebrate the liturgy. This means that strange feasts like that of…
This Glowing Place: New & Selected Poems by Pádraig J. Daly (Scotus Press, €15.00 / £12.50) John F. Deane This exceptional book has been long awaited, and thoroughly rewards the reader. The cover image, of the Liffey and the city in the glimmering twilight, reflects the ecology of the poet’s life and imagination, the inner…