“The gunmen came thinking that their target was in the church but he was not.”
In 2009 Fr Patrick Devine SMA founded the Shalom Centre for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation. It has now trained over 9,600 community leaders and village elders as peacemakers.
"We are here because you first came to us. We are the fruit of your labour. Today, many Churches in Nigeria are named after St Patrick. St Patrick is the second patron of Nigeria after Our Lady.”
His work “leaves a real, positive, and enduring legacy for millions of people across the globe” – President Higgins.
One of his first tasks in Ireland will be the appointment of bishops, including appointments to several dioceses that have been vacant for some time.
The Nigerian government announced the release of the young women who were among 300 abducted from the high school in Chibok in April 2014. Ever since then a high profile campaign has been under way under the title ‘Bring Back Our Girls’.
“Christian responses to persecution are almost always nonviolent and, with very few exceptions, do not involve acts of terrorism,” states recent report.
The plight of Patrick, himself a migrant, has been faced by many Irish people who have struggled to live and integrate into new cultures.
Apart from a short time in pastoral work in New York during the Nigerian Civil (Biafran) War and subsequent studies in Nova Scotia, 90-year-old Fr Paddy Foley spent almost all his 60 years of priesthood in Nigeria.
“Racism and xenophobia are garnering electoral power in many countries” – President Higgins.
All religions “desire peace. Other people want war,” Pope tells journalists en route to WYD in Krakow.
Fr John Adeyi's decomposing body was found on 23 June in Benue State. The vicar general of St Bernard's Catholic Diocese of Otukpa was seized by armed men on 24 April.
301 women were assisted by the NGO according to the 2015 Annual Report including 94 victims of sex trafficking, an increase of six over the previous year (88 in 2014).
Parishioners of Moycarkey-Borris parish pay tribute to Fr Paudie Moloughney SPS with an 8km 'The Circle of Life Walk'.
Fr Enzo Agnoli moved from Italy to Ireland with his family and both he and his late brother Savino became Spiritan priests for the Irish province.
Tributes to winner Colette Nkunda of Misean Cara for her contribution to development and sustainability.
Sr Anne Falola OLA reports on the efforts of the newly opened Maria Centre in the Nigerian capital Abuja to support those displaced by Boko Haram’s violence.
In several areas the Christian presence has become virtually extinct; elsewhere congregations have grown due to an influx of Christians fleeing violence.
Fr Jim Noonan was an Irish missionary priest with the Kiltegan Fathers and served in Nigeria for 47 years.
Drogheda-born Fr Richard McCullen led the worldwide congregation of Vincentians from 1980 until 1992.
Winner of inaugural Ken Saro-Wiwa award announced as daughter of Ogoni activist and missionary nun recall his sacrifice for his people and homeland.
“At this very moment, bombs are raining down on the residential neighbourhoods of the city. There may be as many as 60 dead and 300 wounded."
October - mission month - will see a series of seminars take place every Thursday evening on the impact of the Ad Gentes decree on the mission activity of the Church.
Parish priests from the Diocese of Jalingo will take up appointments for a period of three years with the option of staying for longer.
Introduction of overseas missionaries aims to offset the decline and ageing profile of Kilmore's priests.
No convictions specifically against sex or labour traffickers in 2014 international report shows.
"The IMU has a responsibility to do what we can to keep mission alive in this country as we struggle with the many questions posed to our faith and missionary commitment."
Jesuit Refugee Service calls on the Government to provide funding and support to help them transition to life outside Direct Provision.
Delight in Co Mayo as missionary Fr Billy Sheridan SMA, who was kidnapped north-west Nigeria, released unhurt.
The Nigerian army has found graves containing hundreds of decomposing bodies including those of women and children in Damasak, Borno State.
