Fr Michael Kelly (89) from Co. Offaly conferred with the Order of Distinguished Service for his work in developing strategies for HIV prevention.

Large majorities of Catholics polled in five countries said they believed contraceptives are commonly used among Catholic couples.

Irish missionary has accompanied the community of El Mozote in El Salvador in seeking justice and redress over a 1981 massacre in which 1,000 people were tortured and murdered, including 400 children, by state military forces.

Chairman of Trócaire, Bishop William Crean, says the development agency is working on the ground in Myanmar and “committed money immediately to the situation”.

Tributes to winner Colette Nkunda of Misean Cara for her contribution to development and sustainability.

Figures released by the HSE in June showed that new HIV cases in Ireland have reached their highest point in five years.

“Thank you Trócaire for not forgetting about me” were the words of one young bed-ridden mother of two.

Last year, 356 missionary projects were approved for funding by Misean Cara, which is financed by up to €14 million from Irish Aid.

"Dedicated and doggedly persistent, she was an example of God-centred religious life."

Church communities throughout Ireland prepare to pray in solidarity with the Christian women of the Bahamas.

Vatican urges “creative and innovative approach” to intellectual property in order to ensure medicines get to the people who need them.

"We have been helped enormously by our brothers and sisters in Ireland and other countries and this sustains us mentally, spiritually and financially.”

“We need to stamp out the stigma that still exists around HIV" - Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke.