Understanding the religious culture of Ireland and its political impact today is not an easy task. It is not an easy task for those of us who were born and live in Ireland; it is not easy for people living in a different cultural background. I wish to reflect on changes in Irish religious culture today, changes…
The US and Russia have a distorted global vision, Pope Francis has said, warning that an alliance between the two could be dangerous for the world’s poorest and weakest. Interviewed by the Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari for Repubblica against the background of the G-20 summit in Hamburg, the Pope reportedly said: “I fear there are…
A prelate accused of abuse should not be allowed to return to head his diocese regardless of the outcome of his Vatican trial, the bishop currently running the diocese has said. Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Byrnes of Agana in the US territory of Guam has said it would be “a disaster” if Archbishop Anthony Apuron were…
US Bishops have criticised the execution of a man who was said to be mentally ill. William Morva was executed in Virginia, after being convicted of killing a hospital security guard and a sheriff’s deputy after escaping from custody several years ago. He was killed by lethal injection last week, causing the Virginia Catholic Conference…
European and American bishops have called for all nations to develop a plan to eliminate nuclear weapons from their military arsenals. A joint declaration from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions called upon the US and European nations to work with other nations to “map out…
Church officials have expressed disappointment over the refusal of the government of Myanmar to grant visas to three members of a UN fact-finding mission to investigate alleged human rights abuses by security forces against the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority. Bishop Alexander Pyone Cho of Pyay, in Rakhine state on the country’s western coast, said he…
Former Church watchdog challenges papal dismissal Cardinal Gerhard Müller has criticised as “unacceptable” how Pope Francis dismissed him as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (CDF). Speaking to the German newspaper Passauer Neue Presse, the cardinal said it was only on the last working day of his five-year term as head of…
Dear Editor, I write to offer a contrasting perspective to Rev. Patrick Seaver, who expressed the opinion that religion should be taken out of schools and that sacramental preparation should take place in a parish context (IC 06/07/2017). I agree that parish-based formation is vital; by virtue of our Baptism, we are all called by…
Seamus Cashman “I walk ever so slowly to gate and stile. / Poetry is shrinking almost to its bones”, announces the poet, a cry I know I must protest at – having just read the preceding 67 poems in Angel Hill – only to find reassurance two pages and four poems later with the gorgeous…
Nine-day charity walk from Dublin to Knock The charity Mary’s Meals is planning a nine-day fundraising walk from Dublin to Knock next month. They have issued a call for people to join in the walk for an hour, a day or even the whole journey. The walk begins on Bank Holiday Monday, August 7 at…