After a call for help by a priest, a homeless family in Tipperary have praised parishioners for the “great support” and offers of accommodation they have received. Fr Michael Toomey of Clonmel issued the plea at Mass over the weekend and received the first offer of a possible house within the hour. The priest stated…
The streets have been plastered with posters for this week’s divorce referendum, bearing the words: “Help reduce financial distress – vote Yes” and “Help reduce emotional distress – vote Yes”. All advertising is effective, so I daresay this sells its message successfully enough. Though I found myself thinking sceptically that it might be more honest…
People must consider the implications of the divorce referendum which seeks to speed up the dissolution of marriage, according to the Catholic bishops. “Marriage is essential and fundamental for the good of society worldwide,” said Bishop Denis Nulty, chair of the Council for Marriage & Family. “The objective of the proposed referendum is not to…
Vicky Wall This week, abortion campaigners are busy celebrating the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, but many people – including many ‘Yes’ voters – are instead appalled at the tragic case that has come to light from the National Maternity Hospital. I’m devastated for the parents at the centre of this horrendous abortion misdiagnosis…
The View I had the privilege of accompanying the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales to the Royal English College in Valladolid in Spain two weeks ago. It is a beautiful and fascinating place, founded after the Penal Laws and the persecution of Catholics during the 16th-Century made the training of priests in England impossible.…
Facebook has admitted making a “mistake” when it applied a “ridiculous” warning screen over an image of a foetus in the womb at 11-weeks. The computer-generated image of the baby beside the words ‘Still one of us’ was being used as part of an Iona Institute online and billboard campaign. It was initially restricted by…
Pope Francis has said that each bishop has a duty to have a strong, close relationship with his priests with a firm warning that episcopal aloofness and favouritism weakens the mission of the Church. “The relationship between us bishops and our priests is, unquestionably, one of the most vital issues in the life of the…
Lack of past practice suggests Pope won’t make profound change, writes David Quinn Pope Francis appears to have poured cold water for the time being on the idea of women deacons, or at least of something equivalent to the male deaconate. The Pope had established a commission in 2016 to examine the issue. It…
Pro-life campaigners have said families should not be “rushed into” having an abortion after an initial diagnosis of a severe abnormality. This comes after it was revealed last week that a couple aborted a baby that was misdiagnosed in the National Maternity Hospital. The couple said they were told by hospital staff that there was…
Chai Brady speaks to Aid to the Church in Need who helped save Asia Bibi After the celebrated news that persecuted Christian Asia Bibi reached Canada this month after a decade of incarceration and death threats in Pakistan, there was a collective sigh of relief, but also an understanding that there are still many…
Chai Brady
Mary Kenny
Susan Gately
Nuala O’Loan
David Quinn