New Bishop sees generous priests and busy churches in Dublin Garry O’Sullivan interviews Dublin’s newest Auxiliary Bishop Paul Dempsey about his move from the Diocese of Achonry, the challenges he faces in Ireland’s largest diocese, and more!
Exclusive Father Gabriel Romanelli, the only Catholic parish priest in the entire Gaza Strip has said that Ireland’s recognition of the state of Palestine was very well received by Christians in Gaza. “People are very discouraged in general because there is a lot of news on the international scene that seems like promises but is…
The Pope faces being investigated after allegedly authorised the unlawful wiretaps of phones in the sale of a London property. The alleged authorisation is said to have taken place during a Vatican investigation into the “corrupt” sale of a €300 million property in London. It comes after the legal team for British financier Raffaele Mincione filed a complaint…
The Saint Patrick Centre’s Young Ambassadors from the United States have concluded a whistlestop tour which included a visit with the First and Deputy First Ministers at Stormont. Sixteen Young Ambassadors, who took part in the programme, also met the former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin as part of the annual programme this year. The…
Syro-Malabar Church leaders in India are threatening to excommunicate priests who do not comply with facing the altar during Mass by July. The Syro-Malabar Church, with an estimated following of 4.25 million worldwide, is the second largest of the eastern Churches in communion with Rome. Ever since its synod decided in 2021 to adopt a…
The Cathedral of Prato, Italy, was the setting last Saturday for the ordination of a former punk band guitarist and policeman. Fr Giulio Vannucci, who has long hair and a beard and who earlier in life was part of the group i Quanti, a local punk band, was ordained along with Fr Michele Di Stefano,…
With the Diocese of San Diego facing about 450 lawsuits over alleged sexual abuse of minors by priests, religious, and laity, Cardinal Robert McElroy has informed the clergy and faithful that today the diocese will file for bankruptcy for the second time. The announcement comes about 16 months after Cardinal McElroy said the diocese was…
Copernicus and the “Galileo case” are still taught in schools today. They drove a wedge of mistrust between the Church and science. But it was also a Catholic priest who first heard the bang. “In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. But the earth was desolate and empty (…), and God’s Spirit hovered over…
Letter of the week People of solid faith would not divest any school… Dear Editor, The divesting of schools from Catholic management to other secular kinds of management is becoming a trend, so much so that I am wondering if we will have any schools under Catholic management in ten years’ time. I see this…
The symbiosis between Catholicism and nationalism in Nineteenth Century Ireland was vital in shaping the movement towards self-determination. It was a hugely unifying factor in the founding of the new Free State and overcoming the trauma of the Civil War – whatever our difference on the national question, we worshipped at the same altar every…