NEWS IN BRIEF

Papal honour
THE HON Nona Byrne, who founded the Catholic Building Society with her husband Vincent in 1960, retired from the board of the Society at its annual general meeting in London on Tuesday. During the meeting, Mrs Byrne was made a Dame of the Order of St Gregory, a papal honour, which was presented by Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue of the Westminster Diocese.
Priest charged
FR Jot IN LLovo, 56, press officer for the Archdiocese of Cardiff, has been charged on four counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency alleged to have taken place 20 years ago. He was released on police bail and will appear before Pontypridd magistrates on 28 April.
Sign up
VOCATIONS SUNDAY IS celebrated this weekend. Due to a decline in priestly and religious vocations, all parishes and university chaplaincies will receive information on how to promote the day.
Vocations Sunday Pages 8,9
Auntie wins gold
THE RELIGIOUS Broadcasting Department of the BBC this week received the Interfaith Gold Medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews at a ceremony in London this week.
Back to health
FR TEAVF CARROLL, parish priest at the Sacred Heart church, Holloway, north London, has recovered from a knife attack in February and has returned from a convalescence in Ireland.
To smack, or not.
THE VAST MAJORTIY of childcare organisations do not support the campaign to introduce anti-smacking legislation, according to a survey by Families for Discipline.
Race Sunday
RACIAL JUSTICE Sunday is to fall on 14 September this year. The day of prayer will include "fundraising for the continued support of national and local initiatives".
Up in arms
ST PAUL'S Cathedral this week defended its decision to allow a US arms company to sponsor a concert marking the centenary of its choir.
Baptism for all
ANGLICAN PARENTS who do not attend church should not be prevented from bringing children for baptism, the Archbishop of Canterbury said last week.