Courtney McGrailPope Francis greets a boy as he arrives to lead his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. Photo: CNS
Month: December 2016
Planned Parenthood faces ‘body parts’ federal probe
A Senate Judiciary Committee in the United States has recommended that the country’s largest abortion provider be investigated by the FBI and the Department of Justice in connection with allegations of illicit trading in aborted body parts. Arising from undercover footage filmed by pro-life activists appearing to show members of Planned Parenthood engaging in trade…
How closely do we watch one another?
Dear Editor, I could not help but applaud Bishop Kevin Doran’s words in support of Pope Francis against those critics who claim the Holy Father is spreading confusion. His explanation that the Pope is trying to get people to understand that we cannot set ourselves up as the consciences of others struck me as very…
World News in Brief
Christian umbrella group calls for action on church collapse The Christian Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body for Christian denominations in that country, has alleged that poor enforcement of building codes was directly responsible for the December 10 fatal church collapse. Investigators state that the official number of dead in the incident at the Reigners…
The year in films
Aubrey MaloneIn a world where commercialism rules OK, Strange Occurrences in a Small Irish Village – ostensibly a documentary about the Marian shrine in Knock and the people who visit it but ultimately a commentary on the state of religion in Ireland today – was never going to wipe the more mainstream releases off the screen.…
‘It’s faith that gives life a backbone’
Paul KeenanThe woman behind Crystal Swing talks faith and family with Paul Keenan
Primate pays tribute to late Bishop Gerard Clifford
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland has paid tribute to Bishop Gerard Clifford (pictured), who died on December 12, aged 75. Recalling a “dear episcopal colleague” who was a “generous priest and bishop”, Archbishop Eamon said “Bishop Clifford was a holy and humble man who instinctively placed the concerns of others first, as befits…
Almost 40% intend to see Pope in Ireland
Nearly 40% of people in the Republic plan to see Pope Francis when he visits Ireland in 2018, a new poll has found. Conducted by Ipsos/MRBI on behalf of The Irish Times newspaper, the poll is the first since the announcement that the Pontiff will travel to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families. Overall,…
Watch The Innocents – the most poignant film I’ve seen this year
Mary Kenny“The director… transmits the fragility of faith as well as its strengths, and a genuinely powerful sense of sisterhood emerges…”, writes Mary Kenny
New Brexit report on Ireland asks crucial questions – Derry bishop
Greg DalyA House of Lords report that has recommended that questions of freedom of movement across the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic has been welcomed by Derry’s Bishop Donal McKeown. “It’s certainly very encouraging for us here to discover that there are people in significant positions who are concerned about the effect that Brexit…