Dear Editor, The stalwarts of the prolife movement continue the fight for life on many frontlines these days and yet we still don’t see the big picture. I heard a discussion the other day which made me jump; it was not focused on the numbers aborted or the horrifying array of methods or the blindness…
Pilgrimage and Spiritual Tourism in Ireland: this was the title of a seminar hosted some weeks back by Waterford Institute of Technology. The title is an intriguing one. Some will balk at the very idea of ‘spiritual tourism’! Some will apply the ‘New Age’ label and consign the concept to an appropriate receptacle. Some will…
The Notebook Fr Conor McDonough Some three weeks ago a supermarket in the small town of Trèbes in the southwest of France, became a scene of terror. An armed man, Redouane Lakdim, claiming to act in the name of Islam, entered the shop, shot a worker and a customer, and took a hostage,…
Northern Ireland’s leading pro-life group has criticised the SDLP for voting in support of a pro-abortion motion in Belfast City Council to decriminalise abortion yesterday. The motion was proposed by members of Sinn Fein and Alliance Party and supported by the SDLP Councillors. The motion was carried with 34 voting in favour, 15 against and…
Parents who prefer not to baptise their children in the hopes that they will ask for baptism as adults are lacking in Faith, Pope Francis has said. While some believe that there is no need to “baptise a child that does not understand” the meaning of the sacrament, the Pope said doing so would deny…
A pro-life group has condemned Health Minister Simon Harris for attending the launch of Amnesty’s Ireland’s campaign for repeal of the Eighth Amendment yesterday. LoveBoth criticised Mr Harris for backing Amnesty International’s campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote in the abortion referendum next month, despite the organisation’s refusal to co-operate with the State’s ethics watchdog. The…
Episode 9 of the podcast chats with Michael Kelly, Managing Editor of The Irish Catholic. John Quinn speaks to Michael about his new book, co-written with Papal biographer Austen Ivereagh, How To Defend The Faith Without Raising Your Voice. This episode examines practical ways people can discuss hot-button faith-based issues without losing friendships, as well…
Catholics must not be afraid of change, Pope Francis has said in a landmark new document. However, the Pontiff also warns that people need to discern whether new thinking is from God or “an illusion created by the spirit of this world or the spirit of the devil”. In a new apostolic exhortation ‘Rejoice and…
The recent kidnapping of a Congolese priest illustrates some of the problems the Church has faced during the African nation’s prolonged conflict. Fr Celestin Ngango of St Paul Karambi Parish in the Diocese of Goma was kidnapped by armed men on April 1. He was leaving a parish after celebrating Easter Mass when the abductors…
Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, will serve as chief celebrant and homilist for the 36th annual Mercy Sunday celebrations at Knock Shrine this Sunday. Divine Mercy Sunday ceremonies will begin at 12.45pm with Divine Mercy Devotions led by Father Mark Byrne SOLT. Music during the celebrations will be provided by Knock Shrine…