Pope Benedict XVI strongly defended celibacy for priests as a sign of faith in an increasingly secular world, insisting on a church tradition that has increasingly come under scrutiny amid the clerical sex abuse scandal.

THE Pope has labelled abortion and gay marriage two of the most “insidious and dangerous” threats facing the world today.

Pope Benedict XVI all but gave an outright endorsement of the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, calling the cloth that some believe is Christ’s burial shroud an icon “written with the blood” of a crucified man.

Catholic bishops in England and Wales today offered a full apology and said there were "no excuses" for the child abuse scandals that have rocked the church.

Pope Benedict XVI pledged that the Roman Catholic Church would take action to confront the clerical sex abuse scandal, his first public remarks calling for change since the crisis erupted.

A LEADING theologian who called for all bishops named in the Murphy report to resign has backtracked, insisting the Bishop of Galway should not be forced from his post.

LAWS allowing gardaí, schools and health authorities exchange so-called “soft-information” about suspected paedophiles have still not been drafted because of what the Government described as “complex constitutional issues”.

ALL clergy working with children should volunteer for Garda vetting in the wake of the clerical sex abuse scandal in Cloyne, Minister for Children Barry Andrews has said.

Progressive Democrat chief whip Liz O'Donnell has launched a scathing attack on the Catholic Church during a Dáil debate on the clerical sex abuse scandal in Ferns.

Boston’s embattled Cardinal Bernard Law, facing new calls for his resignation, has travelled to Rome for consultations with Vatican officials.

THE Vatican said yesterday it is drafting new guidelines for accepting candidates for the priesthood that will address the question of whether gays should be barred.