Family News and Events

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…

In Brief

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.…

Get ready for Knock pilgrim Walk

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…

Vatican bones discovery raises more questions 

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…

Boys Town priest’s sainthood cause edges forward

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,…

Bishops condemn President Trump’s new asylum-seeker policy 

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…

Health Committee recommendations ‘treat babies as consumer items’

An Oireachtas report on the fertility industry has been accused of treating babies, eggs, sperm, wombs and embryos as “consumer items”. The report from the Joint Health Committee examines proposed legislation aimed at regulating Assisted Human Reproduction practices. One recommendation, if followed, would allow women to give their own babies to infertile couples in return…

Antrim Rose hopeful of Tralee success

Antrim Rose Orlágh McClinton [pictured] has picked the Michaela Foundation as her chosen charity as she attempts to be crowned Rose of Tralee. Hailing from Glenavy, the 22-year-old said she is “delighted” to be supporting the Catholic organisation which has faith as one of its central tenets. The foundation was established to honour the life…