Attacks against Pope Francis in the wake of accusations of abuse cover-ups by a former papal nuncio to the US are “tactical” and politically motivated, according to a well-known Dublin priest. Fr Bryan Shortall OFM Cap., who was present for Francis’ visit to a homelessness shelter in the capital, said the Pontiff’s silence on the…
There could hardly be a more worthy recipient of an international honour and human rights award than Alice Leahy, who has just received such an award presented by the International Care Ethics Observatory. Alice is usually described as a “homelessness campaigner”, but she is much more than that. She is also a carer for homeless…
A new crisis pregnancy centre in Buenos Aires will welcome women facing difficult pregnancies, offering resources, counselling, and medical support. The ‘Home of the Motherly Embrace’ is being opened in response to a July proposal by a group of priests who work in the poorest areas of the cities. The goal is to meet the…
Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland will be an opportunity for the Government to challenge his views on immigration, and reflect on our own failings, Irish priests have said. Speaking in response to the announcement that the US President will be coming to the country in November, migrant’s rights activist Fr Alan Hilliard said there are…
Francis wants a moral revolution, writes David Quinn The Gospel reading at Mass last Sunday is one of the most famous. In it, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for burdening people with man-made customs. He tells them (Mark 7:8): “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions…
A top Chilean cardinal who has been summoned by civil prosecutors to testify over allegations that he covered up clerical sexual abuse has told the priests of his archdiocese that the “crimes” of the Church have contributed to a “climate of tension” being lived in the country. According to local media, Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati of…
Meath’s new bishop is looking forward to leading a Church that goes to where people are, writes Greg Daly Meeting Pope Francis with Ireland’s bishops, just a week ahead of his own ordination as Bishop of Meath, was a touching experience, according to Bishop Tom Deenihan. “I think we were all touched by the…
Australia’s Catholic bishops and religious orders, responding to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, accepted 98% of its suggestions, but said they could not accept recommendations that would violate the Seal of Confession. “We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people while maintaining the seal. We…
The future of the Church in Ireland rests in the hands of its community of believers who must decide where it should be going, Dublin’s Archbishop has said. Speaking in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral on Sunday, Dr Diarmuid Martin said that one challenge which the Church in Ireland faces is that of “discerning where the essentials…
An attempt to force Pope Francis to resign is unravelling, but serious questions remain to be answered, writes Greg Daly Just hours ahead of the papal Mass in Dublin’s Phoenix Park a story broke that seemed to threaten Francis’ papacy. A former papal nuncio had written an 11-page memo in which he claimed that…
Chai Brady
Mary Kenny
Colm Fitzpatrick
David Quinn
Greg Daly