Boston cardinal Sean O’Malley skipped a college commencement in protest at its decision to honour Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who backs laws to permit abortion.

Leaders in democratic countries should be beholden to their constitution and law “without fear of favour” because “your God, your personal faith will sustain you”, the Taoiseach told graduates at Boston College, in a pointed reference to criticism of him in the us over proposed abortion legislation.

There has been broad support for the Taoiseach in Boston’s Irish community, despite a planned protest against proposed abortion laws when he delivers the commencement speech at the Boston College graduation ceremony today.

Catholics around the world are still waiting for a new Pope, as cardinals signalled at 7.41pm that they had failed on their first attempt to find a leader for the Church.

There are no clear frontrunners for the papacy after last night’s inconclusive first vote.

Cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel today to elect the next pope, with the Catholic Church facing more upheaval and uncertainty than it has seen in decades.

Catholic cardinals have gathered at the Vatican for their final day of talks before the conclave to elect the next pope.

Cardinals electing the new pope will be looking for a charismatic but tenacious man capable of reuniting a fractious Church, stamping down on scandals, and reigniting faith among the young.

THE Catholic Church in Ireland is on the brink of collapse and must be resigned to continuing as a minority culture, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said.

The Vatican said today its investigation of sexual abuse by clergy throughout Ireland will include meetings with victims and families.

Pope Benedict XVI prayed with tearful victims of clergy sex abuse in a chapel, in an extraordinary gesture from a pontiff who has made atoning for the great shame of the US church the cornerstone of his first papal trip to America.

They renamed the Taoiseach on St Patrick’s Day in the United States.

PAUL SHANLEY, the priest who was a key figure in the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Boston Archdiocese, has been defrocked, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press.

Pope John Paul II named 30 new cardinals today, further putting his mark on the group that will name his successor.

The Boston Archdiocese has agreed to pay $85m (€76m) to settle more than 550 court claims from people who allege Roman Catholic priests abused them, a leading lawyer in the cases said.

A MULTI-MILLION dollar settlement between more than 500 alleged victims of clergy sex abuse and the Boston archdiocese appeared to be nearly completed following two days of secret negotiations.

A multi-million dollar settlement between more than 500 alleged victims of clergy sex abuse and the Boston Archdiocese appeared to be nearly completed today following two days of secret negotiations.