Month: January 2013

Don Bosco Relic Pilgimage around Ireland 23rd Feb – 7th March 2013

Irish Catholic News
A casket with the relic of Don Bosco has been on pilgrimage throughout the world since the 5th of April 2009 to prepare to celebrate the bi-centenary of Don Bosco’s birth (1815-2015).

The casket will arrive in Ireland on Saturday 23rd February 2013 and will travel throughout the island until the 7th of March 2013. The relics will leave Ireland on 8th March, travelling on to Croatia.
Itinerary:

Brigid’s ‘Camino’ launched.

A new pilgrim walk or Irish ‘camino’ has been launched in Kildare as part of Feile Bride.
The Brigid’s Way Celtic Pilgrimage or Slí Bhride takes nine days to complete and runs 70 miles or so between St Brigid’s Shrine in Faughart, Co Louth to St Brigid’s monastic city in Kildare town.

Mali: Aid is being rushed to hungry families

Independent Catholic News
Bishop Georges Fonghoro of Mopti told ACN: “In the past months people have suffered enormously, especially in the north of the country. Many have fled to escape the violence.” The bishop, whose diocese contains 40,000 Catholics, added: “We are dealing now with displaced people. The situation has calmed down even though a state of emergency was extended by three months. People are still afraid to return to their villages.”

Stressing how mothers and children are particularly lacking food, the bishop said: “The needs are enormous, the situation of the people both in the countryside and the cities is precarious and requires us to act immediately.”

MORE THAN 25,000 TURN OUT FOR LIFE

Michael Kelly quotes Mickey Harte in Irish Catholic Newspaper

‘Is there any life more vulnerable than that of an innocent young unborn child?’

Organisers of the weekend Vigil for Life have said they are “absolutely thrilled” with the turnout which drew a croud of well over 25,000.

“On a bitterly cold January afternoon when it was predicted that the weather would keep people away, Irish people turned out in many thousands to register their opposition to abortion legislation,” PLC Legal Advisor, Caroline Simons said.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Independent Catholic News
On 27 January each year, the United Nations sets aside a day in special remembrance of Holocaust victims. The International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust also commemorates when the Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland on 27 January, 1945.

Around the world Holocaust survivors and world leaders will speak out in remembrance of victims, but also to ensure that the world never forgets what happened in Europe in the 1930s and 1940s.

EGYPT: Renewed calls for Human Rights on Second Anniversary of Uprising

Independent Catholic News
On the second anniversary of the Egyptian uprising in Tahrir, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is continuing to call for the equality of citizenship for all Egyptians, regardless of their religion or beliefs.

Two years ago Egyptians of all creeds and backgrounds joined together to demand equality, justice and the rule of law. In the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Mubarak regime, there was hope for a new Egypt, where the rights of all Egyptians would be respected and upheld.

ISRAEL: Election result could open new perspectives for Christians

Independent Catholic News
A missionary priest working in Jerusalem has said that the recent election results could make life easier for Christians living in the state of Israel.

Father Frans Bouwen, a Belgian Missionary of Africa (White Father) who has been living and working in Jerusalem for 44 years. said the election results “could open up new scenarios”. He said: “One has to wait for Netanyahu’s moves. Probably a big coalition will be formed, which also includes the ultra-Orthodox Parties.”