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Today's Catholic News Update

Featured Articles

The Last WORD Bro Paul Hurley, SVD, Founder and Editor of The Word for over 40 years, bids farewell to readers.

Unity – a Way of Life Ann Marie Foley recalls the life and spiritual contribution of Chiara Lubich, founder of the lay Catholic movement – the Focolare, who died earlier this year.

Evie Hone Kevin Laheen, SJ, recalls his meeting with the Irish stained glass artist, Evie Hone, as she unveiled her set of stained glass windows for the Jesuits in Tullabeg.

Rwanda’s Wildlife Dilemma Rwanda’s economy is underpinned by a lucrative tourism trade based on wildlife viewing - principally of its rare mountain gorillas. But the ongoing population boom is putting pressure on this wildlife and the country’s National Parks. Dee O’Connell reports.

The Consolation of Philosophy Donal Daly, SVD, writes about the Christian philosopher Boethius (c.480-524) who made a profoundly important academic and administrative contribution to the early Church, but was executed over allegations made by his rivals.

The Burial at Thebes David Fitzpatrick considers the significance of an operatic re-working of Seamus Heaney’s play, The Burial at Thebes and its roots in ancient Greek drama.

Worker for the Kingdom The Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) is a forum for over 80 religious congregations. Sarah Mac Donald spoke to its Director General, Sr Marianne O’Connor, OSU.

Palace of the Popes Martin Gani visits Avignon and learns about those infamous years of the Papacy’s ‘Babylonian Captivity’.

Sayioh’s Story – They Circumcised Me This is a first-hand account of the reality behind a brutal and violent cultural practice which is still used in Africa – this is female genital mutilation.

Delta Blues? After the appalling summer in Ireland, climate change is on all our minds. PóL Ó Conghaile reports on the consequences of the worsening weather in Vietnam's Mekong Delta.

And More . . .

Salt Wonders Homer called salt the food of gods. Matias Tugores Martorell sees how sculpture and engineering have come together in a Polish salt mine to produce beautiful works of art.

Blind Ambition Amid the shock and tragedy of 9/11 some incredible stories of heroism and survival emerged. John Scally spoke to Michael Hingson about his lucky escape from the World Trade Centre before the twin towers collapsed.

Francesca’s Flame Fr John O'Brien, OFM, remembers Francesca Dallaglio, sister of English rugby international, Lawrence Dallaglio, who died tragically in the Marchioness boating disaster in 1989.

Cromwell Just who was Oliver Cromwell? A great English hero or a war criminal guilty of ethnic cleansing and perhaps even genocide, as Paul Hurley, SVD, suggests.

The Face of Jesus Martin Gani considers how putting a face to Jesus, the Messiah, as the incarnation of God has raised a few ethical, theological and philosophical issues for Christianity.

Lebanon’s Palestinian Dilemma Last May marked the 60th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel. A celebration for Israelis was a reminder for Palestinians of their dispersal as refugees. Emily Cooper reports on the plight of those Palestinians who ended up in Lebanon.

Half of a Yellow Sun Sr Vivian Atime, MSHR, speaks to author and fellow Nigerian Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about the effect of the Biafran war on her family and her literature.

Promised Land Kim Haughton travelled to Brazil to hear first-hand the stories of those forced out of their homes in a favela by authorities intent on constructing a new motorway.

Fr Harry Shouted Stop! Sean Ryan spoke to the charismatic Co Clare priest, Fr Harry Bohan, who has spent his life trying to rebuild a sense of community and a spirit of goodwill.

Festival of Fez Casablanca, Marrakesh and Rabat – Morocco is home to some of the great cities of North Africa. But perhaps a little less well known is Fez – one of the country’s four so-called ‘imperial cities’. Phyllis Ellis-Franks writes about Fez’s Festival of World Sacred Music which takes place every June.