"We wouldn’t deny life-saving vaccination because of its dubious historic provenance," say the Bishops of England and Wales.

“Global solidarity has never been needed more, so we were strongly encouraged by the Programme for Government’s commitment to protecting Ireland’s overseas aid budget," said Caoimhe de Barra, CEO, Trócaire.

“I may be looking out at empty pews, but in my mind’s eye and with the eyes of my heart, I can see you in your living rooms, in nursing homes, hospital wards or perhaps driving in your cars, all linked spiritually in the ‘family of families’ that is the Church,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin.

There are over 300 million people in the world suffering from over 6000 identified rare diseases – European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS).

“We were welcomed by families whose focus is now day-to-day survival and whose aspirations have been reduced to bare essentials such as electricity and clean water.”

The bishops are determined to go to Gaza to help remind the small Christian community that they are not forgotten as Christians.

“I wish each and every one of you a peaceful and happy Christmas and a new year of hope and possibility,” says President Michael D. Higgins.

"The Holy Land Coordination stands in solidarity with all Christians in Israel and Palestine."

Those who need support and those who provide support are foremost in our thoughts, says Catholic Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy.

“On this special day let us renew our commitment to equality, social justice and care for all our vulnerable people, so many of whom continue to struggle for the very necessities of life.”

“We are so trapped in a culture that induces us to look in the mirror and pamper ourselves, that we think that an altruistic gesture is enough, without the need to get directly involved.”

Meeting between Pontiff and the husband and daughter of Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy, as well as Nigerian Rebecca Bitrus, who escaped from Boko Haram after two years in captivity.

Group from Economy of Communion will give hands-on treatment to their project in Burkino Faso.

The objective of the competition is to encourage students to use their writing and mobile skills to look at a topical issue which is relevant to Catholic Social Teaching and resonates with Columban mission.

“At a time when a record number of people around the world are displaced by violence, the international community needs to stand behind international law to ensure safety for people who have been forced to flee as a result of famine or civil unrest.”

We have to break the vicious circle of anxiety resulting from a constant focus on ‘bad news’, says Pope in World Communications message.

We all need each other, none of us is an island, an autonomous and independent ‘I’ separated from the other, and we can only build the future by standing together.

The “valuable work carried out to date to build new relationships across these islands must not be undermined.”

World Mission Sunday calls the church to ‘go out’ as missionary disciples to bring the message of God’s tenderness and compassion to the entire human family.

At the annual Festival of Peoples celebration, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin stresses that those who contribute to the common good in Irish society have rights.

The importance of locating economic policy within a framework of social values that could create and sustain social cohesion came to the fore in discussions.

The focus of the first prayer intention of the New Year is inter-religious dialogue and is “further incontrovertible evidence that Pope Francis is a man of dialogue”.

"We remember in a special way during this Christmas season the plight of those Christians who have lost everything for their faith.”

2016 commemorations have the potential to stimulate much-needed reflection on where we are as a society and what we want to achieve for the future.

“Men, women and children suffer because of weapons of mass destruction and we fail to respond, seduced by weapons of mass distraction.”

Former Archbishop of Westminster to speak on ‘Pope Francis: Witness to Mercy’ at Kilkenny faith event.

“Urgent reform is required to avoid the creation of an unjust two-tier system in which the needs of those waiting for status for many years are overlooked.”

“Science & technology have placed in our hands unprecedented power: it is our duty towards humanity, the poor and future generations, to use it for the common good.”

Presidents of Bishops' Conferences of Europe visit Holy Land to “express solidarity” with Christians and others suffering there.

Parishes across Ireland urged to ring their bells for up to fifteen minutes and express solidarity with Christians suffering in the Middle East.