A priest from the Diocese of Derry in Ireland has admitted to 109 child sex offense charges from June 22, 2023, to April 18, 2025.
Bishop Michael Router said he would ask the Vatican to dismiss Father Edward Gallagher from the clerical state after he admitted to the charges, which include possession of child pornography, attempted solicitation of sexual activity from a child, and attempted sexual communication with a minor, the BBC reported Oct. 5. Gallagher awaits sentencing on Dec. 9.
"I have already instructed that the documentation required by the Holy See be finalized and transmitted without delay," Router said in a statement on Oct. 5, according to a BelfastLive report.
"The Church cannot undo the harm that has been caused. Nor can any canonical penalty remove the suffering experienced by victims and survivors. Nevertheless, the Church has a responsibility to respond truthfully, justly, and decisively."
New Vatican ambassador appointed to United Arab Emirates
Polish priest Monsignor Grzegorz Piotr Bielaszka has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to be the Vatican's new ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), raising him to the rank of archbishop, ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, reported Oct. 5.
Born in Poland in 1974 and ordained in 1999, Bielaszka entered the Holy See's diplomatic service in 2006. His assignments have included Iraq, Panama, Hungary, Peru, and Gabon. He succeeds Archbishop Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis, who was appointed the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations in July.
The appointment comes amid continuing tensions in the Gulf following military confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The Vatican has repeatedly called for dialogue and negotiations, while maintaining close diplomatic relations with the UAE, particularly since Pope Francis' historic 2019 visit to Abu Dhabi and the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity.
Catholic Church in Korea switches to Italian, Australian liturgical wine
Parishes across Korea will no longer use domestic wine for liturgical celebrations after the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea announced on Oct. 7 that an Australian and an Italian brand would become the country's official liturgical wines.
"Starting from this year's Advent season (the four weeks before Christmas), the Australian 'Seven Hill' and Italian 'Alagna Vini' wines have been selected as the liturgical wines to be used in all Catholic Masses across Korea," they said in a statement, according to an Oct. 8 Chosun report.
The change is due to aging grape farmers and diminishing land in Korea, the report said. It marks the first in 49 years since the conference signed a contract in 1977 to use local Majuang liturgical wine.
Ethiopia bishop urges reconciliation amid renewed fighting
Bishop Lisane-Christos Matheos Semahun of Ethiopia's Eparchy of Bahir Dar-Dessie has urged Christians to reject hatred and refrain from rejoicing over the suffering or death of those they regard as enemies as renewed fighting intensifies in parts of the country.
"Every life lost is a tragedy," the bishop said in an Oct. 3 reflection, ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, reported. Lisane-Christos further called on Catholics to pray for their enemies, care for people affected by the conflict, and support efforts toward dialogue, justice, reconciliation, and peace.
The bishop's statement comes as BBC reports that Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of an "all-out invasion" in northern Tigray, and Eritrea says in response that it is facing "an unprovoked war of aggression" by Ethiopia.
Hundreds of Catholic young people celebrate care for creation in Baghdad
More than 300 young Catholics gathered in Baghdad for a spiritual event marking the Season of Creation, an annual Christian observance dedicated to prayer and care for the environment.
Through Scripture readings, prayer, and reflections on Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', participants were encouraged to see protecting nature as part of their responsibility toward God and others, ACI MENA reported Oct. 5. Father Amir Kammu explained that environmental problems are also spiritual and moral concerns, particularly because their consequences often fall hardest on the poor.
At the end of the gathering, each participant received a small plant or fish to care for, turning the message of environmental responsibility into a personal commitment.
Glasgow Archdiocese to reduce parishes by half
Archbishop William Nolan has announced widespread cuts to the Archdiocese of Glasgow in Scotland amid dwindling attendance and a shortage in available priests.
"For years now there has been much talk of the need to restructure and reduce the number of parishes in the archdiocese. A plan for that restructuring has now been drawn up, reducing the number of parishes by half and seeing the closure of two dozen churches," Nolan said in an Oct. 7 statement on Facebook.
The statement noted the number of parishes will be reduced by half and 24 churches will be closed as part of the restructuring plan.
"There are too many parishes but too few people, too many churches but too few priests," he said. "As for priests, I have been archbishop for less than five years and the number of our active priests is down by a third in that time. Only one of our priests is under the age of 45, most are over the age of 60. Thank goodness we have foreign priests and religious willing to serve in the archdiocese, otherwise the situation would be even more critical than it is."
Irish priest blocks Nathan Carter concert from taking place at parish
A concert by country music singer Nathan Carter set to take place at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Boyle, Ireland, has been canceled after its parish priest objected to the event.
Father John Gannon contacted Carter and informed the musician he could no longer perform at the church after approval had been given to the singer by the parish's former pastor, according to an Oct. 5 report from the Irish Independent.
Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran backed up the priest's decision, telling the Irish Independent that the diocesan policy barring such concerts was to "preserve the sacredness of the church as a place of worship." He added: "That does not mean that it has to be specifically liturgical music, but it should be spiritual, and where singing is involved, the lyrics should be consistent with the message of the Gospel."
Catholic Church in Egypt opens beatification cause for former Coptic patriarch
The Catholic Church in Egypt has formally begun the cause for the beatification and canonization of Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas, who served as Coptic Catholic patriarch of Alexandria from 1986 to 2006.
The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, led by Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac, has invited the faithful to submit information about Ghattas, who died in Cairo in 2009, ACI MENA reported Oct. 6. The request includes testimonies both supporting and questioning his reputation for holiness, as well as personal writings, letters, and other documents that could assist the investigation.
The opening of the cause marks an important step in examining the life and legacy of the former patriarch but does not mean he has yet been declared blessed or a saint.
Canada hosts rosary rallies across the country
A Catholic group in Canada is hosting rosary rallies across the country on Oct. 10 to pray for its conversion.
The campaign from Canada Needs Our Lady started in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, and has grown from 1,083 to more than 1,550 rallies, according to an Oct. 8 report from Independent Catholic News. "The reaction from Canadians has been very encouraging," Joseph Gensens, Fatima custodian for Canada Needs Our Lady, said in the report. "We hear from people who are so grateful to have the opportunity to come together and pray the Rosary publicly — not only for Canada, but for their families and their communities."
Canada Needs Our Lady is an organization that advocates for a return to Christian values in Canada.
