Those questioning Pope Francis are causing much disquiet, writes Michael W. Higgins Many of the 50% plus white male Catholic voters in the last US election who helped elect Donald Trump were not unaware that this was a president who would shake things up—big time. After all, that was a major part of his appeal.…
Displaced Egyptian Christian families, who used to live in the north of the Sinai Peninsula sit near their belongings after arriving at a church in Ismailia. Catholic churches in Ismailia, with help from Caritas, have helped Coptic Orthodox fleeing Islamic State attacks in North Sinai. Photo: CNS
This is both a hopeful time and a grim one for those concerned about the persecution of Christians and freedom of conscience, according to an Iranian convert to Catholicism. Speaking in Dublin’s Newman University Church, Wall Street Journal editorial writer Sohrab Ahmari said there are grounds for hope, “because the question of the persecution of…
Over the weekend the CPSMA (Catholic Primary Schools Management Association) held their annual conference in Dublin, which included a presentation by Minister Richard Bruton, Minister for Education and Skills to the winners of the CPSMA art competition ‘Celebrating Local Schools’: Rebecca Hynes, Vicki Zimeng Lin, Isabelle Maher, Tashuva Rafiq and Aisling Amponsah. Photo: John McElroy
The votes have been counted and Northern Ireland is in something of a state of shock. Last week unionists had a 16-seat majority over nationalists in the Assembly. Now, just over a week later nationalism has a total of 39 seats to unionism’s 40 seats. However the DUP, by a majority of one, has more…
It’s all over bar the shouting, so the saying goes. As the Citizens’ Assembly moved last weekend from a session of presentations and questioning to a phase of internal debate towards a final ballot on recommendations to be put to the Oireachtas, it is a fairly safe bet that we have not heard the last…
Investigation of mother and baby homes should proceed apace, writes David Quinn It is very hard, three years after the story first broke, to write again about the Tuam mother and baby home and all the deaths that took place there in the years of its operation from 1925 to 1961. What else is left…
The bishop whose diocese includes the parish in Medjugorje has reiterated his belief that no apparitions have ever taken place at the site. In the wake of news that Pope Francis has appointed a special delegate to examine the pastoral situation at the famed Bosnia-Herzegovina site, Bishop Ratko Peri of Mostar-Duvno issued a message on…
China has been accused of increasing its interference in some faiths, including Christianity, in a drive to thwart ‘foreign’ religions. According to a new report, ‘The Battle for China’s Spirit’, from Freedom House, a US-based advocacy group for political and human freedoms, China is increasingly acting against followers of Christianity and Islam while at the…
Pope prays for persecuted Christians The prayer intention of Pope Francis for March 2017 is “that persecuted Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church”. In a monthly reflection on the papal prayer intention, the Apostleship of Prayer notes that Pope Francis has asked for special prayers for persecuted…
Courtney McGrail
Nuala O’Loan
Paul Keenan
David Quinn