Month: February 2021

African bishops warn second-largest continent has few vaccines

In parts of Africa, mass vaccination against Covid-19 is so far off that it is not even mentioned, warned bishops across the African continent. The malnourished people in the Nuba Mountains, South Sudan are “moving skeletons,” and their compromised immune systems expose them “to all kinds of diseases, not just Covid-19,” Bishop Macram Max Gassis,…

Keeping hope and preparing for a Lent like no other

Despite its enduring popularity, the Lenten period is sorely misunderstood by many, Chai Brady writes It has been joked that the Lenten period never ended last year as the rolling pandemic restrictions meant everyone having to make tough sacrifices, but Lent is much more than just forgoing pleasurable activities, food or drink – which it…

Catholic missionary priest nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

A Catholic missionary priest in Madagascar known for serving the poor living on a landfill has been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Madagascar Fr Pedro Opeka, 72, is a Vincentian priest from Argentina who has worked with the poor in Madagascar for more than three decades. He founded the Akamasoa humanitarian association in…

Assisted suicide a ‘failure to care for the terminally-ill’ bishops warn

Assisted suicide reflects a “failure of compassion on the part of society” the Catholic bishops have warned in their submission to the Oireachtas committee reviewing legislation that, if passed, would legalise euthanasia. Good palliative care not assisted suicide “offers terminally-ill people the best possibility of achieving ‘a dignified and peaceful end of life’,” the Church leaders said…