Cardinal Newman- Special Supplement England has a long tradition of martyr saints, whose courageous witness has sustained and inspired the Catholic community here for centuries. Yet it is right and fitting that we should recognise today the holiness of a confessor, a son of this nation who, while not called to shed his blood for…
Education Minister says faith ethos can’t hinder sex ed classes
Ethos cannot be allowed to interfere with the teaching of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools, Education Minister Joe McHugh has said. Speaking during a debate about a report on RSE published by the Oireachtas Education Committee, he said even now, “schools are obliged to teach all elements of the [RSE] curriculum”. Minister McHugh…
Dublin archbishop caused IEC ‘cloud’
A top Vatican cardinal has accused Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of excessive negativity and in focusing too much on the Church’s failures. Speaking at the Autumn conference of the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) in Dublin, Cardinal Peter Turkson, who heads the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral…
Greta’s campaign consistent with Bible
Dear Editor, I was pleased to read an article in your publication (IC 03/10/19) praising the efforts of climate activist Greta Thunberg. Despite her age, this young girl has rallied countries and political leaders around the world to be more environmentally conscious and shed light on how detrimental our current carbon consumption really is. At…
The hinge of creation
Cardinal Newman-Special Supplement Conscience was for Newman the connecting principle between man and God, writes Fr Stuart P. Chalmers Blessed John Henry Newman is often quoted in relation to his toast to conscience and its dignity. However, at times the quote from his Letter to the Duke of Norfolk is misrepresented as if it were…
Irish nuns receive warm reception after releasing ‘soul-lifting’ song
Claire Fitzpatrick The Poor Clares in Galway have received a great confidence boost after releasing a devotional song on Youtube viewed by almost 15,000 people so far. ‘Calm the Soul’, based on a poem published by the Sisters in 2012, was composed to raise the spirits of those struggling under pressures of everyday life –…
‘Fear and anger’ in border parishes as Brexit chaos nears
Greg Daly and Chai Brady Priests in border parishes have said that anxiety is growing as the countdown to Brexit continues and the British government appear without any credible plan to stop chaos at the border. It comes amidst claims that the British are proposing a so-called buffer zone with checks on both sides…
Journalist received miracle of ‘peace’ after son’s death
A well-known journalist who has written a new book about Lourdes with her husband has spoken of the miraculous feeling of “peace and calm” after her son passed away. On RTÉ 1’s Sunday with Miriam, Una O’Hagan described the “enormous sense of peace and calm” she felt after her son Seán died from cancer in…
Forgetting to enjoy our culture’s fruits
Threats to Lyric FM endanger a heritage that should be especially dear to Catholics, writes Rachel Sherlock It has emerged of late that RTÉ is allegedly considering the future of their classical music station Lyric FM in light of their ongoing financial crisis. While we will have to wait for the coming weeks to…
China clamps down on churches amid Hong Kong protests
The persecution of Catholics in mainland China is increasing after prominent Catholic figures in Hong Kong continue to speak out against the communist regime, according to reports. The reports from Bitter Winter, a magazine covering religious liberty and human rights in China, come alongside allegations that the Chinese government has ignored requests to tolerate Catholic…