A five-year investigation into the treatment of unmarried mothers in State-funded Church-run homes has said that the blame for their “harsh treatment” rests primarily with their families but that both the Church and State condoned this. The report of the ‘Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters’ was published this afternoon (Tuesday) and…
RTÉ’s New Year’s Eve sketch, which depicted God being arrested for sexual assault, did not comply with the broadcaster’s own standards and regulations, RTÉ said today. In a statement, the national broadcaster said its Editorial Standards Board found that the sketch was not in line with a number of their provisions. These included Section 39…
Argentina has legalised abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, despite strong Catholic opposition and polls showing deep divisions on the issue. Decision The Senate approved the bill 38-29 December 30 after a 12-hour debate as supporters with green handkerchiefs and opponents with blue handkerchiefs awaited the decision in the streets during the small…
Let us Dream: The Path to a Better Future by Pope Francis with Austen Ivereigh (Simon & Schuster (£10.99) This new book by Pope Francis is a very striking one. It contains, which is unusual in Papal works, pages of autobiography of the three periods of his own personal moments of isolation, moments akin to…
Chai Brady, Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne A satirical sketch broadcast by RTÉ accusing God of rape has been dubbed “scurrilous” and “disgraceful” and has provoked thousands of complaints from viewers. The national broadcaster logged almost 5,000 complaints by the time this paper went to print regarding the New Year’s Eve broadcast which depicted a man…
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is widely – and correctly – credited with taking decisive action on the issue of child abuse. It was a point noted by his successor Dermot Farrell last week when he said: “Archbishop Martin accepted the leadership of the diocese at a challenging time in 2003. Since then, he has provided forceful…
Local priests have called for a thorough, transparent investigation and calm among the community following the fatal shooting by gardaí of a 27-year-old man in Clonee, Dublin last week. Fr Mathew Binoy SVD of Mountview and Blakestown Parish told The Irish Catholic there is “a lot of tension in the area” after George Nkencho was…
Irish Catholic businessman Declan Ganley received confirmation that the State has until January 22 to deliver their opposition to his constitutional challenge to restrictions on religious worship. Once the High Court receives the State’s opposition they will set a date for the judicial review, which Mr Ganley expects to be in early February. Mr Ganley…
On New Year’s Eve, RTÉ broadcast a show, ‘NYE Countdown’, hosted by Deirdre O’Kane and Kathyrn Thomas. Aengus MacGrianna, the former RTÉ newsreader, also took part, delivering a ‘Waterford Whispers’ comedy sketch in a mock newsroom. The show confirmed me in my decision – once again – to get rid of our television and stop…
Inspiration for all Seasons: Celtic Wisdom for Today by John Scally (Black & White Publishing, Edinburgh, £14.99) Coming to hand just at the end of one year and the beginning of another, with many changes of all kinds in the offing here in Ireland, and around the world, this book was a delightful surprise. Here,…
Michael Kelly
Peter Costello
Chai Brady
Maria Steen