Elections are a chance to secure change

Dear Editor, Our Faith shouldn’t be reduced down to just some self-help guide on how to improve ourselves and be kinder to others – a mentality which I think many interpret religion to be. As Catholics we are called to not only transform ourselves, but to also change the society we live in by always…

Eagerly-awaited visit by London Symphony Orchestra

Pat O’Kelly   The final programme in the NCH’s 2018/19 International Concert Series on June 14 brings the welcome return of the London Symphony Orchestra. Under Italian maestro Gianandrea Noseda, the concert features music by Beethoven, Shostakovich and Berlioz. Russian Daniil Trifonov is the soloist in Shostakovich’s 1st Piano Concerto with UK trumpeter Philip Cobb…

Catholic women divided over Pope’s remarks on female deacons

Letter from Rome Claire Giangravè   Pope Francis’s cautionary words on the female diaconate made waves in early May, ruffling a few feathers in the Catholic world, especially among women. However, his remarks were welcomed by some female Catholics. “Francis’ comments make it clear that he holds to the classical understanding of doctrinal development,” said…

Even the smallest gifts matter

Jean Vanier’s lessons can continue to inspire us, writes 
Fr Fergal Cunnane   Over the last few weeks there have been many tributes paid to Jean Vanier, from people of faith and conscience throughout the world. But you know the best tribute ever paid to him was from a beggar he encountered one day in…

Study finds religious women most satisfied in marriage

A new study examining the correlation between religion and marital happiness found that women who are part of a highly religious, traditional couple are most likely to report being happy in marriage, as well as sexually satisfied in their relationship. In addition, a woman in a highly religious couple was most likely to report that…

Medical experts plead for end to ‘germline editing’

A group of 62 doctors, scientists, and bioethicists have issued an open letter urging a global moratorium on experiments that alter human genes that can be passed on to subsequent generations, a practice known as ‘germline editing’. “Although we recognise the great scientific advancement represented by gene editing technologies and their potential value for an…

Struggles abound in rebuilding Mozambique following cyclones

Helping children who lost their parents when a pair of cyclones hit Mozambique is among the most difficult work in the aftermath, an aid worker has said. “It’s not easy to find the links” to these children’s relatives, said Martina Zavagli, country representative for the Association of Volunteers in International Service Foundation, or AVSI. “Many…