Courtney McGrailA tetanus vaccine condemned as a population control tool is safe, according to a team of experts appointed by Kenya’s Minister for Health and the Catholic Church. The joint commission was set up in November after Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi and President of Kenya’s bishops’ conference, met with representatives of the Ministry of…
Month: January 2015
The Holy Land: in the footsteps of Christ
Cathal BarryA pilgrimage to the Holy Land can be an enriching experience, writes Cathal Barry
Divine Mercy Conference on forgiveness
The 24th annual Divine Mercy Conference next month will focus on the theme of “Forgive us our Trespasses”. The weekend conference takes place over February 21-22 in the main hall of the RDS in Dublin. The speakers include Sr Briege McKenna OSC, Fr Michael Ross SDB, Fr Kevin Scallon CM, Philip Ryan and Fr Joe…
Pope’s freewheeling style causes a stir for media
Michael Kelly‘The Pope’s ability to present the Church’s teaching in a way that is accessible is very impressive’, writes Michael Kelly
iCatholic pilot new talk-show
The founder of iCatholic Fr Bill Kemmy has said he hopes the websites’ new talk-show ‘A Question of Faith’ will be “interesting and informative” for viewers who tune in. The half hour discussion programme, presented by Wendy Grace, is available online now. The first in the series features a discussion on the value of Catholic…
Primary school accused of discrimination
A primary school in the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly has discriminated against a teacher, according to the Equality Tribunal, and has been directed to pay €54,000 compensation. The teacher had been working as deputy principal at the school for eight years when she applied for the job of principal in 2011, but the job…
Millions flock to closing Mass as Pope’s Philippines’ visit ends in torrential rain
In the biggest gathering of Christians ever, Pope Francis addressed more than six million people in the closing Mass of his trip to the Philippines, calling on them to be “outstanding missionaries of the Faith in Asia”. The turnout was more than double that which assembled at World Youth Day in Rio, and is significantly…
Portsmouth diocese announces new evangelisation plan
England’s Portsmouth diocese has announced a radical new evangelisation plan in line with Pope Francis’ call in Evangelii Gaudium to consider the renewal of structures demanded by pastoral conversion. Speaking in a video message, Bishop Philip Egan said the challenge for the diocese was to “move from maintenance to mission”, and as such it would…
Expression begins in our schooldays
Peter CostelloThe principle of freedom of expression – which has been violently attacked and vigorously defended over recent days – depends very much on the ability, not of those in the media, but of ordinary people, to express themselves well and clearly. Freedom of expression is not just for writers and cartoonists, for politicians and pontiffs…
Trócaire critical of new climate bill
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill, published this week, is a weak and disappointing bill that ignores important recommendations from the Oireachtas Environment Committee, according to Trócaire. Éamonn Meehan, Trócaire’s Executive Director, says “time is not a luxury we have in tackling the impacts of climate change”, pointing out that climate change is…