DUBLIN – Aging priests across Ireland are increasingly falling victim to depression and mental health problems, an influential group representing Catholic clerics warned.

VATICAN CITY – The sacredness of human life is so absolute that performing or helping procure an abortion or attempting suicide is an obstacle to ordination as a Catholic priest, even if the man was not Catholic at the time the events occurred, said a new Vatican ruling.

When discussions about Catholic fiction arise certain names are always mentioned: J.R.R. Tolkien, Flannery O’Connor, Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, Thomas Merton and so forth. Even C. S. Lewis comes up, even though he was a member of the Church of England.

VATICAN CITY – An Indian priest now working in the United States credits Blessed Teresa of Calcutta with saving his vocation.

It’s become something of a routine now. Pope Francis delivers a spontaneous lambasting of priests who do this or that which he disapproves of, and priests get in touch to ask what we should make of it all.

MONTREAL – The time has come for the Roman Catholic Church to rethink its patriarchal structure and build a stronger relationship with women, a prominent Benedictine monk from South America told delegates, comprising mostly nuns, at the assembly of the Canadian Religious Conference.

HAMILTON, ONT. – A visitor to the Kitchener-Waterloo area, looking for “Fr. Reitzel,” might get this reply to their query: “Which one?”

TORONTO – Cardinal Thomas Collins, in ordaining the two newest members to the Toronto priestly fraternity, let them know that as priests they are called to be servants of their flock.

MONTREAL – Vocations to the priesthood may be lagging in North America and Europe, but the ranks of Scalabrinian priests are swelling in other parts of the world, according to Fr. Joseph Fugolo.

NEW YORK - Cardinal Edward Egan, who served as archbishop of New York through the trauma of the 9/11 terror attacks and the clergy sex abuse scandal but was best known for administrative acumen that helped solidify the finances of the sprawling archdiocese, died March 5. He was 82.

SAN FRANCISCO - A Catholic priest who recently took charge of a San Francisco parish has said only boys can be altar servers, a move that is sparking both criticism and praise and comes amid a wider debate over conservative concerns that the Catholic Church has become too “feminized.”

Growing up in Nigeria, Fr. Victor Abimbola Amole wanted to become a doctor, until age 12 when he met a missionary priest from Ireland who changed his life’s path. By age 16, he began to consider the priesthood and by 18 his mind was set.

TORONTO - A year ago Fr. Jim Zettel was ordained to the priesthood. His next goal is to become a saint or at least live a life worthy of one.

I was 17, and had just finished high school in Nigeria. The world had opened up to me with all its beauty, charm and possibilities. I had to consider what I would do with my life. I needed the best that the world could offer. I spent time with my friends. We talked about our future and the kind of profession we wanted. 

WASHINGTON - The college experience — and the Catholic college experience, especially — can influence a young man’s decision toward considering a priestly vocation, according to a study issued in early July by Boston College.