“The problem in Ireland is clustering of parishes, leading to added pressure on aging priests, and formation of bigger, more impersonal, units.”

Support for Bishop O’Reilly's suggestion that the bishops set up a commission to study the possibility of ordaining married men & appointing female deacons.

“It will probably not help Catholics who are validly married and who unfortunately are in trouble with their relationship.”

Irish bishops take strong solidarity stance as they call for a generous response to the needs of refugees.

Pope’s appeal for solidarity and welcome is a call for a creative and generous response in preparation for the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin encourages parishes and deaneries to gather together to reflect on their pastoral response to "this huge crisis".

Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly of Cashel & Emly to formally open nine-day festival of faith in Co Tipperary on Tuesday.

“It demonstrates to our elected representatives that protection of creation is important to us” - Bishop John McAreavey.

“Migrants are not a threat to the EU but our policies are a threat to them” - Caritas Europa.

Senator Rónán Mullen among eighty politicians from around the world to discuss the persecution of Christians in the Middle East with Pontiff.

The Kenyan bishops have chosen as their theme, “To stand strong in the faith”.

Poll also found Catholics (43%) barely ahead of the general public (39%) in viewing global warming as a moral issue.

“It offers individual believers and the community a precious opportunity to renew our personal participation in this vocation as custodians of creation."

With over 200,000 unemployed, the Government must respect individuals who start businesses and incentivise them says Irish economist.

The policy of the Diocese of Cloyne is that a priest who is out of ministry, for whatever reason, cannot exercise a public ministry: Bishop William Crean.

Papal message marks 75th anniversary of Taizé’s foundation; centenary of Brother Roger's birth; and the tenth anniversary of his death.

Cardinal Peter Turkson sends message of support to two-day Islamic climate change symposium taking place in Istanbul.

“It can be very difficult for parents to provide for the material needs of their children" and there are children who live and sleep in very inadequate situations.

The Church has provided great spiritual, human and material support to the people making a decisive contribution towards Timor Leste’s process of liberation.

“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”

Nuclear bombings in August 1945 are a “symbol of the enormous destructive power of humanity when it makes a distorted use of scientific and technical progress”.

“The loss of such high numbers of innocent lives at sea resonates strongly with the Irish experience of the ‘coffin ships’ during the time of the Great Famine” – Bishop Crean.

“I renew the hope that the international community not remain silent and inert in front of these intolerable crimes."

Mayor of Hiroshima Kazumi Matsui calls for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the creation of security systems that do not rely on military might.

"They are not excommunicated, and should not be treated as such, but rather must be encouraged, with their families, to participate in the Church’s life."

"The Christian, even in really difficult situations, can never give into hopelessness, nor can the Christian give in to judgmentalism towards others."

Bishop of Shrewsbury expresses serious concerns over new private members' bill on assisted dying due to be introduced into British parliament in September.

Chaldean Catholic Church leader publishes prayer to mark first anniversary of ISIS’ overrunning of Christian villages on the Nineveh Plain in August 2014.

Archbishop Martin tells MacGill Summer School "A democratic political system must not limit the role of citizens to voting in elections and referendums."

300,000 postcards offering advice on 'end of life' decisions distributed at UK Day for Life today. "God will call us in his good time, and the time we have left for living and loving is always short."