The Russian Orthodox Church is debating an end to the practice of blessing large scale weapons, including nuclear missiles. Last month, a committee on ecclesial law met in Moscow and recommended ending the practice of blessing missiles and warheads, and suggested that priests should instead bless only individual soldiers and their personal weapons. According to…
Quentin Broughall reflects on Thomas Merton’s relationship with technology and the internet Always a thoughtful and perceptive observer, the American monk and mystic Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was keenly aware that humans’ relationship with technology represented something that could draw them closer to God or push them farther away: “When it comes to those taking…
Madison Duddy explores how technology has changed the way we date It’s no secret that social media has changed the way people interact. In recent years dating apps have become more popular, changing the fabric of the dating world. While most singles spend their time swiping through photos and biographies of potential matches in their…
Human beings are stewards not predators – Pope Francis Human beings are called to praise God for his gift of creation, not be predators out to plunder the earth and all it contains, Pope Francis has said. In a message sent last week to participants of an Italian conference on the consequences of deforestation in…
Dear Editor, Mary Kenny is exactly right when she says the one-time Anglican clergy of the Ordinariate point to how married clergy could become feasible in the Church (IC 11/7/2019). Years ago Pope Benedict said something very similar. Basically, when married Anglican clergy join the Church they become married Catholic laymen, albeit ones with pastoral…
Treasure at the Bottom of my Garden by Judy Roblin (Matador, £8.99) Judy Roblin is a retired social worker now living in Wales. Her writings in The Tablet will be familiar to some. She has made for herself a poustinia in a shed-like hut at the end of her garden. To this little ‘desert’ she retired…
Conscientious objection in three hospitals has been cited as stopping the full rollout of abortion services in Ireland. According to a Freedom of Information request received by the Journal.ie, Letterkenny University Hospital, Sligo University Hospital and Wexford General Hospital each have issues with providing full services due to staff conscientiously objecting. Correspondence outlining abortion provision…
Personal Profile Madison Duddy speaks with Northern Ireland’s pro-life campaigner Dawn McAvoy The pro-choice movement feeds off the modern-day feminism movement. Notable slogans like “my body, my choice” are meant to empower women. Dawn McAvoy, a founder of Northern Ireland’s Both Lives Matter organisation, says this ‘feminist’ narrative actually hurts women and stems from a…
Lawsuit against Catholic school made by teacher A teacher at a Catholic school in South Carolina whose contract was not renewed because of her posts on Facebook in support of abortion rights is now suing the school, claiming that her First Amendment rights have been violated. According to the lawsuit, Elizabeth Cox taught at Bishop…
Notebook Fr Conor McDonough It was heartening to see last week Californian politicians withdrawing legislation that would undermine the Seal of Confession. The bill was opposed by a large, well organised and committed campaign of lay Catholics, but the public face of the campaign was Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles [pictured]. He’s a…