Church
Defenders rally round Pope Francis after Vigano allegations
Supporters of Pope Francis have rushed to his defence after a former top Vatican official launched an unprecedented attack on him.
Pope tells the faithful to go back to Jesus, the source of truth but it's a timely message for the Church's embattled leaders too
As questioning around abuse in the Church reaches fever pitch in America, the Pope's visit to Dublin also asks questions that the Irish Church needs to answer.

Liam Neeson joins calls for Tuam babies to be identified
Liam Neeson has joined calls for the Catholic Church in Ireland to identify the remains of hundreds of babies and children found buried under a former mother and baby home in Co Galway.
Pope Francis refuses to respond to calls for his resignation over sexual abuse scandals
Pope Francis said on Sunday he would not respond to explosive accusations by a former top Vatican official that the pontiff had covered up sexual abuse, saying dismissively that the document containing the allegations "speaks for itself".
Pope Francis vows to end 'repugnant crimes' of abuse during Ireland visit
Pope Francis vowed on Saturday to end the sexual exploitation of children by clergy during a highly-charged visit to once deeply Catholic Ireland and, according to victims, said the corruption and cover up of abuse amounted to human excrement.

Salvation Army launches Big Collection to support people in need
The Salvation Army is hoping people's small change will make a big difference for people in need across the UK and Republic of Ireland this autumn.

Nearly half of US evangelicals think their church teaches elements of the prosperity gospel
About four in 10 evangelical Christians say they attend a church where they're taught elements of prosperity gospel, according to a poll.

Rare medieval Bible returned to Canterbury Cathedral 500 years after it went missing
A rare medieval Bible that went missing from Canterbury Cathedral 500 years ago has now been safely returned to its former home.
Ireland's Catholics hoping Pope's visit will revive interest in the Church
Bernie and Tom Byrne can barely conceal their excitement as they prepare for a visit to Ireland by Pope Francis that they hope will bring back the young believers that have deserted the Catholic church after decades of scandal.
Vatican says Pope will meet victims of sexual abuse during Ireland visit
Pope Francis will meet victims of clergy sexual abuse during his visit to Ireland this weekend, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

Rise in the number of young people wanting to join the priesthood
The Church of England has reported a rise in the number of young people wanting to be ordained into the priesthood.
Pope condemns 'long ignored' sexual abuse after damning Pennsylvania grand jury report
Pope Francis, facing simultaneous clergy sexual abuse crises in several countries, on Monday wrote an unprecedented letter to all the world's Catholics asking each of them to help uproot "this culture of death".
Vatican breaks silence to voice 'shame and sorrow' over damning Pennsylvania sex abuse report
In a long statement that broke the Vatican's silence over a damning US grand jury report, spokesman Greg Burke said the Holy See was taking the report 'with great seriousness'.

Damning dossier reveals decades of abuse by Pennsylvania Catholic clergy
Roman Catholic priests in Pennsylvania sexually abused thousands of children over a 70-year period and silenced victims through 'the weaponization of faith'.

John Smyth victims slam 'cynical and disingenuous' Titus Trust apology
Smyth died on August 11 at his home in Cape Town after a heart operation. He was exposed as having carried out vicious beatings on young men he groomed through Iwerne.

Australian archbishop begins home detention over sex abuse cover-up
A former Australian archbishop was spared jail on Tuesday when he was ordered to serve his one-year sentence at home.