Persecuted Iraqi Christians must return as full citizens

Christians don’t want to be a “protected minority” in the Middle East, they must be full citizens with full rights said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. The return of Christians to Iraq’s Ninevah Plain “must be the first and urgent objective of our efforts,” the cardinal said. “That will allow the Christian community…

Anti-government pastor faces 20 years

A Zimbabwean pastor has been arrested and put on trial due to allegations of him attempting to subvert the government. Fr Evan Mawarire, a prominent critic of Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, was arrested as he stepped down from his pulpit on charges that could see him imprisoned for 20 years. The state has accused him…

Ordinary Catholics need to stand up for the Church

Sinister side to abortion debate Dear Editor, The sinister and illegal activities of pro-abortion advocates over the last two weeks has been shocking and outrageous. Where is the condemnation from public figures? The fact that three hotels were forced to cancel pro-life events because of threats and intimidation of staff members should be investigated by…

Family News and Events

Mental Health Week 2017 Mental Health Week 2017 takes place from October 9-14. The World Health Organisation’s theme for World Mental Health Day on October 10 is Mental Health in the Workplace. This week is a great opportunity for individuals, workplaces and communities to bring awareness to and highlight mental health and wellbeing where you…

Almost 50 parishioners from Our Lady Queen of Peace in Bray travelled to Lourdes. For the last 17 years Ed and Bernadette Byrne have organised the pilgrimage.

St. Patrick’s Church, Newport, Co. Mayo was built by John Sisk & Son 100 year ago. Family members of of John Sisk and Son Ltd at Newport church, from L/R Owen Sisk, Stephen Bowcott, CEO of John Sisk & Son, Thomas O’Connell, Hal Sisk and JP Sisk. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

A different kind 
of Irish politician

Life is a Funny Business: A Very Personal Story by Alan Shatter (Poolbeg, €16.99) Peter
 Hegarty In a candid affecting book Alan Shatter takes us into the “deep recesses of my mind”. The deepest, darkest recess holds the memory of the cold December afternoon in 1965 when he returned home to find his mother Elaine dead on…