‘Come and see for yourself, Mr President’ Irish missionaries have called on Michael D. Higgins to visit suffering Christians in Nigeria, after the president was accused of blaming a recent slaughter of Catholics at Mass on climate change rather than anti-Christian persecution. The local Bishop Jude Arogundade criticised the president insisting that: “To suggest or…
Category: App
‘Clear call’ for married priests from Irish synod participants
There has been a “clear call” for married priests, according to the synod report from the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. The call came from a listening session with parents in the diocese, which largely covers counties Leitrim and Longford. “There is a strong focus on priests as core to the Church. And here there…
NWCI refuses to clarify conscientious objection comment
The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) has failed to provide clarification of a comment made by its director despite attempts by The Irish Catholic to seek clarity. The Irish Catholic sought to clarify Director Orla O’Connor’s comment in a March 22 op-ed for the Irish Examiner that “We urgently need…careful monitoring of conscience-based refusal…
Pope’s knee troubles force cancellation of July trip to Africa
Because of continuing problems with his knee, Pope Francis has postponed his planned trip to Congo and South Sudan July 2-7, said the Vatican press office. Matteo Bruni, director of the press office, did not mention whether the Pope’s planned trip to Canada in late July was still set. “At the request of his doctors,…
Significant damages awarded to Ballymurphy families
Staff reporter The families of nine people killed by British soldiers in west Belfast 50 years ago have been awarded significant damages, following an undisclosed settlement. The settlement comes as a result of civil cases brought against the Ministry of Defence for the killing of ten people who were shot dead in Ballymurphy in August…
The problem with Michael D.
The response of President Higgins to the massacre of Nigerian Catholics was tone-deaf in the extreme, writes David Quinn At least President Michael D. Higgins thought to mention the recent brutal attack on Mass-goers in southwestern Nigeria that left 40 dead and 87 injured. I’m not aware of any of our other political leaders doing…
Exorcist: Trained teams needed in parishes to fight evil spirits
Ireland urgently needs trained teams of people to lead so-called ‘deliverance ministry’ for people who feel they are oppressed by evil spirits, a leading priest-exorcist has warned. Fr Pat Collins CM, who has worked in this ministry for many years, told The Irish Catholic that the need is pressing and that while a number of…
Holy Land book set for Dublin launch
Staff reporter A new book on the Holy Land aimed at encouraging pilgrims to follow in the footsteps of Christ will be launched in Dublin next week. An Irish Pilgrimage Guide to the Holy Land by Editor of The Irish Catholic Michael Kelly explores a variety of themes, from an in-depth look at the important sites…
Dublin synod sees calls for women priests
The Archdiocese of Dublin’s synodal report says that many “were moved by the Spirit” to call for the consideration of female priests, “so that the Church may be enriched by their deeper participation in leadership and governance roles”. The country’s largest diocese has released its synodal synthesis, with the four major trends having emerged being…
Irish sister decries ‘nightmare’ attack on church in Nigeria
The Provincial Leader of the OLA Sisters has condemned the brutal attack on a Catholic church in southwest Nigeria over the weekend, which left dozens of people dead. Sr Kathleen McGarvey, who has worked on peacebuilding in Nigeria for many years, described the attack on Pentecost Sunday as “an absolute nightmare”. “It is very painful…