Family News

Austrian man bitten by snake as he sat on the toilet An Austrian had a nightmarish morning when a python slid through his drains and bit him as he sat on the toilet, Reuters reported. The 65-year-old in the city of Graz turned around shortly after 6 am to see a 1.6-metre albino reticulated python…

Recent books in brief

I am with you still: Faith reflections from a Covid-19 World edited with a series of reflections by John Quinn, foreword by Donal Dorr (Veritas, €12.99/£11.70) In his new book popular writer John Quinn has drawn together some 18 people of all kinds from the corners of Ireland to give thought to the situation we have…

Death penalty and abortion cannot be compared

Dear Editor, Breda O’Brien suggests that if President Joe Biden is to be excommunicated then William Barr, President Trump’s Attorney General should also be excommunicated because of his support for the death penalty [IC 01/07/2020]. While I totally support Breda in her opposition to the death penalty, I contend that there is no comparison with…

Pope Francis in ‘good condition’ after surgery

Pope Francis is in “good general condition, alert and breathing spontaneously,” after undergoing colon surgery at the weekend the Vatican has confirmed. “The surgery for diverticular stenosis performed the evening of July 4 involved a left hemicolectomy and lasted about three hours,” a statement from the Holy See Press Office said. “A stay of about…

Church vents its disquiet over First Communion ban

Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Bishops have expressed their disappointment and frustration with the ‘political’ decision to ban sacraments, despite assurances from State officials that places of worship continue to be safe. Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin Diocese told The Irish Catholic that the announcement came “completely out of the blue” and that it has…