Only 32% of Irish people trust religious leaders, according to the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer. This is the second lowest trust score of leaders ahead of the very wealthy (24%) and behind government leaders (36%), CEOs (38%), journalists (42%) and scientists (79%). The survey took in over 34,000 responses globally and 1,150 from Ireland between…
UNICEF has warned that critical reintegration programmes for children released from armed forces and groups in Sudan may be forced to shut down in March due to lack of funding. Around 900 children are registered for release, but without new funding, UNICEF says they will not be able to provide support as they transition to…
Matt Sedensky Seminarians walk along a hallway lined with photos of priests in classes who came before them. Some are pious alumni, who have become their teachers and mentors; others climbed the Catholic hierarchy to be become bishops and cardinals. But there are others: Raymond Leneweaver, Class of 1962, subject of at least 14 victims’…
Two priests in the Philippines have avoided jail time by posting bail after they were charged with trying to destabilise the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Fr Albert Alejo and Fr Flavie Villanueva were indicted in connection with an online video linking President Duterte and his family to illegal activity. The Philippines Department of Justice last…
Jay Niles “Jesus, I trust in you. I could score a touchdown or break a leg and never play again. So whatever is supposed to happen on this play, just let it happen.” These are the words of Hale Hentges, a tight end for American football side Washington Redskins, who goes into every NFL game…
Notebook Fr Bernard Healy If I were to say Carnevale to you, you might think of the masked celebrations of Venice or the samba-dancing of Rio de Janeiro. However, there was once a time when Rome was also famous for its Carnevale, the festival bidding a farewell to meat before the Lenten fast. Rome’s…
Beware of slide into worldliness – Pope Pope Francis warned against letting our hearts wander unwittingly into “apostasy”, stressing that we lose loyalty to God when “relativising” and negotiating with money, vanity and pride. The Pontiff cited the story of King Solomon, who turns away from the Lord in his old age, in his homily at…
Dear Editor, In Catholic circles mention the words ‘torchlight procession’ and most will think of Lourdes, southern France, where Our Lady appeared more than a dozen times to a 14-year-old peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. In this little French town since then a public Torchlight Procession takes place every night, with pilgrims from all…
Father Ted’s co-creator says the show would have not have been as popular today due to changing attitudes and perspectives on comedy. Graham Linehan said his famous sitcom would have been different in this day and age. “The Catholic Church has taken a lot of beatings (over the years) and (now) it would be like…
Puppy Play Dates in Dublin Have you recently added a new member to the family? The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) is running free Puppy Play Dates on Saturdays so you can let your new little one socialise. Early puppy socialisation is important as puppies that grow up in isolation –…