With more and more people planning their vacations online and sharing their experiences digitally, the tourism industry and tourists themselves should pay more attention to using online forums to encourage respect for the locales visited and for the communities that live there, the Vatican said. In a message for the September 27 celebration of World…
Dear Editor, Greg Daly’s analysis piece, (IC 26/07/18) on the proposed referendum to remove the Constitution’s provision on blasphemy, and the associated Defamation Act 2009, was a timely reminder that it works, is important, and is a model for other countries. The purpose of the Constitution is to outline the standards we aspire to live…
Personal Profile Matthew Carlson learns about the intricacies of parish life Born in England, Glen Phillips says that there were two things that were enforced in his house growing up: soccer and Faith. “I grew up going to Mass. Growing up in our house there were two things, being Catholic and supporting Manchester United,”…
The Notebook Fr Conor McDonough Archbishop Diarmuid Martin recently spoke with candour about the Church’s outreach to young people, describing it as “an area where I have failed”. If he has, he’s certainly not alone in the Irish Church. Young people today will not adopt the faith by osmosis, but need clear arguments, joyful…
Ketch-up with the festival Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? This historic debate could easily be the topic of discussion at a festival which celebrates the mysterious food item. The Totally Terrific Tomato Festival will be paying homage to the ingredient vital for bolognese and pizza, with a series of exhibitions, talks, cookery…
A prominent pro-life group has condemned Health Minister Simon Harris who said he will provide abortion to women from the North of Ireland when the regime is introduced in the South. Precious Life said it was a “shocking and outrageous attack” on Northern Ireland’s unborn babies and the democratic process after Simon Harris said last…
Hannah Brockhaus Today the Vatican changed the Catechism’s teaching on the permissibility of the death penalty, which the Church has taught is legitimate in extreme cases, stating it is ‘inadmissible,’ and its elimination will be sought. A new draft of paragraph 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church was issued by the Congregation…
Matthew Carlson A former Irish international rugby player has been chosen to speak at the Pastoral Conference at the World Meeting of Families this month. Ronan O’Gara played fly-half for several Irish teams and is now the assistant coach of the Canterbury Crusaders in New Zealand. O’Gara will be speaking on the topic of ‘Celebrating…
Matthew Carlson The recent drought in Ireland may have revealed a significant archaeological find – what is thought to be the childhood home of St Oliver Plunkett just outside Oldcastle. The hot weather and lack of rain this summer has exposed the outline of a house on what is now the Loughcrew estate with a…
A prominent pro-life group has said that a new president who defends the right to life could be a powerful voice for those who support pro-life initiatives. The comments come after the apparently unofficial launch of a campaign which would see Fianna Fáil councillor Éamon Ó Cuiv running for the presidential election. Spokesperson for the…