Dear Editor, In all the hullabaloo around the proposed new National Maternity Hospital (NMH), the entire thrust of most mainstream media commentary is an obsession to ensure that a key part of the work of the maternity hospital will be ending the lives of the most vulnerable human beings – unborn children. The Religious Sisters…
Prelature prohibited from accepting aid from those damaging Amazon
A Catholic prelature in Brazil’s Amazon has decreed that its parishes will not accept donations from any person or company that displaces minorities or damages the earth. Bishop José Ionilton Lisboa de Oliveira of Itacoatiara has prohibited parishes, pastoral communities, groups and movements linked to the prelature – similar to a diocese – from receiving…
Vatican Roundup
King and Queen of Jordan honoured with Peace Award On the occasion of its 29th Annual Gala on 9 May, the Path to Peace Foundation presented the 2022 Path to Peace Award to King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The prestigious annual award, presented…
Madonna takes to Twitter seeking papal audience
Staff reporter Tweeting May 4, pop music superstar Madonna asked Pope Francis if they could meet and discuss “important matters”. The famous singer took to Twitter to ask the Pope for an audience, writing: “Hello @Pontifex Francis —I’m a good Catholic. I Swear! I mean I don’t Swear! Its been a few decades since my…
Study debunks claims for EAS legalisation
Staff reporter A recent peer-reviewed study has debunked claims that legalising euthanasia or assisted suicide (EAS) leads to fewer non-assisted suicides. Director of the UK’s Anscombe Bioethics Centre David Jones said that their study, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, and Suicide Rates in Europe, has shown that current European data reveals a “consistent association” with increased suicide…
We should take heart from reports from the US
It may take time, but Ireland’s abortion law is not settled and the pendulum will swing again, writes Killian Foley-Walsh Like many who campaigned for the retention of Ireland’s life-saving Eighth Amendment, the triumphal scenes that followed its repeal by a two-to-one margin nearly four years ago broke my heart. I looked on with dismay…
Cardinal Pell highlights Becciu’s ‘incomplete’ account at Vatican trial
Cardinal George Pell said Friday that the recent testimony of Cardinal Angelo Becciu at the Vatican finance trial “was somewhat incomplete”. He drew particular attention to a lack of evidence regarding payments of more than $1.6 million made to Neustar Australia, an information services firm, in 2017 and 2018. Cardinal Becciu, who was the second-ranking…
God matters, humans matter…But does theology matter?
Dr Fáinche Ryan Christian theology is an exploration of what it means to be human, and to live humanly in this world, writes Dr Fáinche Ryan ‘Top MP resigns for watching pornography in the Commons’ was a newspaper headline late last month. Comments around the culture of sexism in the British parliament. On Irish radio…
Word on Fire issues statement on allegations
Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, founded by Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron, issued a brief statement May 2 saying it had fired an employee possibly over an incident involving some unwelcome advances. “The accusations against this employee surrounded events in the employee’s personal life, not the Word on Fire workplace, and did not involve…
Everyone can help promote vocations to priesthood, says Bishop Gavin
Staff reporter Bishop Fintan Gavin said that everyone can help promote vocations to the priesthood, as the diocese of Cork and Ross launched a fresh appeal for people to consider becoming priests. Bishop Gavin launched a diocesan prayer card for vocations at St Joseph’s Church, Glanmire, Co. Cork on Saturday May 7. Speaking at the…