Pope calls for ‘apostolate of prevention’ against abuse In an unscripted video message that appears to have been recorded on a mobile phone, Pope Francis spoke of the need for an “apostolate of prevention” to protect minors from abuse. “Prevention. Prevention. Because you never know where a child will be abused, where the child will…
The Bible Tells Me So…Why defending Scripture has made us unable to read it by Peter Ennis (Hodder & Stoughton, €14.99) This book, by an American academic and evangelical, is one which will interest a wide audience. Through many years of both teaching and preaching, he came to face a problem. The further he studies the…
Have a ball at Wicklow’s World Cup If you’re aged from 6-9 years old, best get your football boots on and get ready for Wicklow’s very own World Cup. The newly re-established St Peter’s Football Academy for boys and girls over four years old, based in Bray, will also host a day full of fun…
New law shortens euthanasia wait time New legislation in Oregon shortens an initial waiting period for some persons seeking assisted suicide, allowing them to receive quicker access to life-ending drugs. Governor Kate Brown signed the bill into law on July 23. It had passed the Senate in May and the House of Representatives in June.…
Pilgrims across Ireland will soon be donning their hiking books as they prepare for a 10-day walk to Knock Shrine this month, to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the famous Apparition. Pilgrims will set out from St Mary of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, on August 11, marking the beginning of the 180km walk. The first…
The search for the remains of missing 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi took another twist as Vatican officials discovered “thousands” of human bones in a previously unknown ossuary over the weekend. It is unclear if any of the bones belong to Orlandi, or how old they are. On July 11, the Vatican opened two tombs belonging to…
The canonisation cause of a famous Irish-American priest has taken a key step forward with the presentation in the Vatican of a summary of records about his life. A positio about Roscommon-born Fr Edward Flanagan, founder of Nebraska’s Boys Town community was presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on Monday July 22,…
The bishop of one of Mexico’s most violent areas has said that the sentencing of drug lord Joaquín Guzmán Loera to life in prison plus 30 years is proper and prudent. Guzmán, known as ‘El Chapo’, is a former head of the Sinaloa Cartel. He was sentenced on July 17 by a judge in New…
The president of US bishops’ conference issued a statement last week condemning a newly-announced rule on asylum eligibility at the southern border, suggesting that countries like Mexico are not a safe final destination for asylum seekers, and encouraging the Trump administration to change the policy. “The rule adds further barriers to asylum-seekers’ ability to access…
The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need has launched a new fundraising campaign to aid Syrian Christians, whose lives continue to be devastated by violence and poverty. “The war in Syria has still not ended, terrorism has yet to be defeated and our brothers have more need of our aid than ever,” said…