The Central African Republic is “experiencing a season of hope”, according to a Carmelite missionary based in the capital city Bangui, who believes that Pope Francis’ November visit to the country “significantly contributed” to this. Fr Federico Trinchero, whose convent Notre Dame du Mont Carmel has housed more than 5,000 displaced people since civil war…

Former students of a Catholic college in Manchester who allege they were abused by three priests based there have abandoned their lawsuit against Salford diocese. The men, one-time students at St Bede’s College, argued that the diocese had failed to protect them from sexual abuse perpetrated as far back as the 1950s by three priests,…

Peace is coming too slowly to South Sudan, writes Paul Keenan It is said that history repeats itself, and nowhere is this more true than in the conflict-riven state of South Sudan. A bold claim, perhaps, for a country barely five years old – July 9 will see Independence Day from greater Sudan celebrated across…

An iconic image of Our Lady begins a nationwide tour this week that will see stops in every diocese in Ireland. The ‘Pilgrim Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help’, which was blessed yesterday by Pope Francis, was due to arrive in Dublin airport this morning (Thursday). The icon, newly written in Poland, is to…

South Africa’s Catholic bishops have said they are “profoundly disturbed” by the country’s deputy finance minister’s confirmation that a powerful family had offered him the post of finance minister. Mcebisi Jonas had revealed that he received an offer from the Gupta family to succeed Nhlanhla Nene, after Mr Nene’s dismissal by President Jacob Zuma last…

India’s government has been called upon to protect Christians during Holy Week, following recent attacks on Christian communities in the country. Addressing the National Commission for Human Rights, Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, said: “It seems that praying in India has become a crime. Christians are not treated like…

About 2,100 children in Nicaragua can no longer attend school because teachers in over 60 schools have been driven from their posts by armed groups, a local bishop has said. Estelí’s Bishop Abelardo Mata,who has visited the area around San José de Bocay, said teachers in the area have been threatened by militants who want…

Women religious carry olive branches past Israeli border police before the annual Palm Sunday procession on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City. Photo: CNS

Renewal must be a priority for the Church in India, the country’s bishops have said. In a statement following their biennial assembly, the bishops noted the Church’s “excessive preoccupation with institutionalisation, insufficient zeal and fear of proclaiming Christ as the unique saviour”. They also acknowledged a “growing indifference to and lack of commitment to the…