Two nuns and a priest are among the 14 people who are to receive the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2020. Sr Patricia Murray and Fr Kevin O’Hara SMS are being recognised for their work for peace, reconciliation and development in Italy and Nigeria respectively. Sr Louise Horgan is being rewarded…
Earwax test could reveal stress levels Unlikely as it seems, your earwax could provide insight into your mental health, new research suggests. A study of 37 participants has shown a build-up of the stress hormone cortisol can be measured from the oily secretions around your ear canal. This could open the door to better ways…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. The Gospel for this Sunday (Matthew 25:14-30) is a parable encouraging us to use whatever talents we have, no matter how small or trivial they might seem. While we are still on Level 5 of the battle against Covid-19, we need all the encouragement we can get.…
Dear Editor, Gerard Gallagher placed the spotlight on a very important challenge and presented a great opportunity for our Catholic Church to address in Ireland 2020 [IC 22/10/2020], how to reach out and evangelise our young people in an effective way? Young people will identify with the Church’s commitment to social justice and works of…
US Supreme Court looks for compromise in Catholic foster care case The Supreme Court, now with a full bench, seemed willing to find a compromise during November 4 arguments about a Catholic social service agency shut out from Philadelphia’s foster care program for not accepting same-sex couples as foster parents. In the case, which pits…
As France begins its second lockdown this year, French bishops are filing an urgent appeal to continue public Masses, arguing that the most recent coronavirus restrictions “violate freedom of worship”. The French bishops’ conference announced Monday night that it would file a “référé liberté” with the Council of State regarding the lockdown decree issued last week. This…
Guatemala’s president has said he will block US abortion provider Planned Parenthood from setting up an office in the country. This week he denounced the group, saying it promoted abortion. “I am a faithful defender of life and I am emphatic in indicating that in my government I will not endorse the creation, registration or…
French police have arrested six men in their investigation into last Thursday’s attack on the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Nice. Among those in police custody is a 29-year-old Tunisian man believed to have accompanied the alleged attacker, Brahim Issaoui, from Tunisia to the Italian island of Lampedusa on September 20, Agence France-Presse reported on November…
In a statement released last weekend, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales asked the government to produce evidence necessitating a suspension of public worship, as is required by the latest Covid-19 guidance. It was signed by both the President of the bishop’s conference, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and the Vice-President, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. They…
Facing protests across the country after a court ruling prohibiting abortion for foetal abnormalities, the Polish president said Friday he would propose a bill permitting abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality. Andrzej Duda said October 30 he would introduce a bill to allow abortion “when prenatal tests or other medical indications show a high…