Churches in the North have been invited to apply for a relief scheme aimed at combatting the energy crisis. The North’s Department for the Economy told The Irish Catholic that churches are eligible for the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, along with businesses, voluntary and public sector organisations. “The Energy Bill Relief Scheme is being run…
Spiritual programme Exodus 90 challenges men to become better through prayer, asceticism and fraternity, writes Jason Osborne Exodus 90 is touted as a “roadmap” to a more fulfilling life for an increasing number of men year on year. Started in a seminary in the US in order to help seminarians grow spiritually and to overcome…
The Catholic population in the United States has grown by about two million people in 10 years. With nearly 62 million people, it continues to constitute the largest religious body in 36 US states, according to the latest religion-focused survey of America’s religious congregations. Over the last decade, many Catholics, the survey found, have moved…
Pro-life advocate in the UK Heidi Crowter has been listed as one of the BBC’s ‘100 women of 2022’, in what was a big year for the 27-year-old. A woman with Down’s syndrome, Ms Crowter has worked in recent years to challenge England’s abortion law which permits abortion up to 24 weeks, but allows unborn…
Faith in film The undisputed Christmas classic is It’s A Wonderful Life. The 1946 drama tells the story of an upright businessman, George Bailey, who needs the intercession of an angel to understand the true meaning of his life. It’s a decidedly Christian story from an era that was unashamed to be so. Through his…
Canadian Church reflects on Pope’s ‘pilgrimage of penance’ The Canadian bishops have released a reflection on Pope Francis “words of healing and reconciliation” during his ‘penitential pilgrimage’ to Canada last July. The Canadian Conference of Catholic bishops’ message marking the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, celebrated in Canada on December 12…
Charles Dickens is sometimes described as having ‘invented’ our modern Christmas with his story A Christmas Carol. His compelling tale of the money –grubbing Ebenezer Scrooge – Dickens was a genius at his characters’ names – and his loathing for Christmas, pitted against the poor but loving family, the Cratchits, merrily celebrating the Saviour’s birth…
The Biden administration may not force Catholic organisations and medical professionals to perform gender-transition surgeries or provide insurance coverage for them, the US Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has said in a recent ruling that cited religious freedom grounds. “The federal government has no business forcing doctors to violate their consciences or perform controversial procedures…
The View Two thousand years ago a young man and a young woman made a long journey on foot to Bethlehem. She was pregnant – nearing her time. They must have been very concerned as they plodded on, the woman riding on a donkey, wondering whether they would be able to get accommodation. Would it be warm and…
Saint of the Week “In his loving providence, God made St Peter Canisius his own ambassador at a time when the voice of the Catholic proclamation of faith in German-speaking countries risked falling silent.” So wrote St John Paul II of St Peter Canisius SJ, in a letter to the German bishops to mark 400…
Ruadhán Jones
Mary Kenny
Nuala O’Loan