The state of Utah can end its contract with Planned Parenthood, which is paid for with federal funds, a judge has ruled. US District Judge Clark Waddoups, who previously blocked an effort by Utah governor Gary Herbert to defund the Utah affiliate of Planned Parenthood, has ruled that “these are the types of decisions that…
Church leaders have denounced a double-headed suicide attack on Christian-owned restaurants in Qamishli, Syria, that left 20 people dead and more than 40 injured. “It was a sinister message the terrorists wanted to send to the Christians of this city, sowing death and tears,” Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan said, describing the massacre,…
Perhaps our New Year’s Resolutions should be to make more time for friends, family and God, writes FR Martin Delaney My father loved clocks and watches. His most treasured possession was a pocket watch bought with his first wage packet as a young man. At the age of 94, when he was dying, he called…
Christians must become more politically mobilised in 2016, writes David Quinn The big event of the year to come will undoubtedly be the general election. It is likely to take place very soon. Fine Gael is almost certain to be returned, most likely with Labour and possibly with the support of a few Independents. Fine…
There can be few more surprising sights for Irish visitors to London than that of Oliver Cromwell in Parliament Square. Admittedly, unlike the nearby statue of King Richard I, Cromwell at least had a serious link with Britain’s parliamentary tradition. For many Irish visitors, however, it can seem bizarre and abhorrent that Cromwell’s championing of…
A Century of Life… Imagine That! by Máire Godfrey (Impress Printing, €15.00hb; contact mairegodfreyacenturyoflife@gmail.com). The provenance of this book is unique. It was written by Mrs Máire Godfrey as part of the celebrations to mark her 100th birthday. Owing to the extraordinary developments in medicine and the remarkable enhancement of physical and social conditions, the elderly…
Christmas is over and the new year is here yet it’s not too late or even too early to make decorations for next Christmas. During the Christmas holidays, it can be easy to forget to make New Year’s resolutions when you are caught up in all of the festivities. Making your resolutions early in January…
Mags Gargan speaks to people involved in the weekly family Mass in St Aidan’s parish in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Offering a weekly family Mass is a great opportunity for parishes to create an atmosphere where families feel part of the community of faith, especially children, who by participating in the ceremony gain a fuller understanding…
The Belgian spiritual writer, Bieke Vandekerckhove, comes by her wisdom honestly. She didn’t learn what she shares from a book or even primarily from the good example of others. She learned what she shares through the crucible of a unique suffering, being hit at the tender age of 19 with a terminal disease that promised…
The Church teaches that the Eucharist strengthens our charity, which tends to be weakened in daily life, writes Cathal Barry The Church teaches that Holy Communion “augments” the recipient’s union with Christ. “The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus,” the Catechism of the Catholic Church…
David Quinn
Greg Daly
Erin Fox
Mags Gargan
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Cathal Barry