Paul KeenanPaul Keenan discovers that divine inspiration wasn’t in short supply at the Rio Olympics
Faithful Olympians
Month: August 2016
New standards recognise value of babies with ‘life-limiting’ condition
Abortion campaigners often ignore the distress insensitive language causes parents, writes Tracy Harkin
Violations of religious freedom increasing worldwide – US report
Violations of religious freedom are increasing worldwide, a new report from the US State Department has revealed. Produced annually, the Report on International Freedom for 2015 reveals that in addition to the expected violations committed by non-state actors such as so-called Islamic State and Boko Haram, “amongst the most egregious abusers of religious freedom in…
Senator rejects calls for ‘closed doors’ Citizens’ Assembly
Senator Rónán Mullen has rejected calls for the forthcoming citizens’ assembly on the abortion to be held behind closed doors. Speaking to The Irish Catholic this week amid the latest row over the assembly – whether or not to reveal the identities of its members – Senator Mullen said that, while he had always objected…
‘Unfair’ that workers pay far more tax than companies – SJI chief
Greg Daly
The head of Social Justice Ireland has called for a rethink on Ireland’s corporate tax regime, criticising how workers often pay more tax on their income than companies do on theirs. Challenging new figures showing how between 2009 and 2014 the State collected no corporation tax from Irish companies with an income of almost €17…
West Cork parishioners delight in Olympic success
The O’Donovan brothers’ rowing exploits in the Olympics have “really helped to put Skibbereen on the map”, according to the chair of Skibbereen’s parish pastoral council. “It’s brilliant,” Jacinta Crowley told The Irish Catholic, continuing, “the town is all done up beautiful, and the volunteers are in the process of painting the rowing club for…
Flowers for the fairest
Courtney McGrailLocal girls on Our Lady’s Island, Wexford, carrying baskets of fl ower petals to scatter before the Blessed Sacrament, carried by parish priest Fr Jim Cogley in the Assumption procession launching the island’s annual pilgrimage season. Photo: Terry McNamee.
Telling the story of Heaven meeting Earth
Michael KellyA new documentary offers a fascinating glimpse of Knock shrine, writes Michael Kelly
World News in Brief
Filipino Bishops criticize use of Bible to justify death penalty Catholic bishops in The Philippines have taken to task boxing champion and politician Manny Pacquiao for his claim that the Bible sanctions reviving the death penalty in the country. The famed athlete, known for his Christian devotion, was delivering a speech to the Filipino Senate when he began to quote passages of the…
Missed opportunity for sharing the Faith
Dear Editor, The Maynooth controversy was a missed opportunity for Catholic catechesis. Secular media interest in things Catholic lends itself to skilful use to spread the Word, not endanger it. The said media approached their usual ‘go-to’ people, including a small band of similarly minded priests who conjure up a ‘wise in their eyes’ Church,…