About 2,100 children in Nicaragua can no longer attend school because teachers in over 60 schools have been driven from their posts by armed groups, a local bishop has said. Estelí’s Bishop Abelardo Mata,who has visited the area around San José de Bocay, said teachers in the area have been threatened by militants who want…
Pope calls for migrants to be allowed cross borders Pope Francis has called on political leaders to allow migrants enter their countries. Speaking before 40,000 people at his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square, he said, “I like to see leaders who open their hearts and their doors” to the many migrants fleeing their countries. Recalling our many “brothers and sisters who…
Dear Editor, For over 40 years we were the fortunate parents of a beautiful son called Francis who had Down Syndrome. Francis passed away in 2013 and we will never get over our loss. We miss him so much. There isn’t a day we don’t think of Francis, quote him or reminisce amongst ourselves or…
Dear Editor, On March 15 the Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia), presented a report at Stormont – What Survivors Want from Redress. This document, compiled by survivors, with the help of local and international experts, is a vitally important statement addressed to both Church and State. I was privileged to be invited to…
Dear Editor, Your article in regard to the Commission on the Protection of Minors (IC 17/03/2016) based on my recent interview with The Irish Catholic, confused two issues about which I had spoken. One issue was a lack of clarity around future funding of the commission and the other was the refusal by elements of…
Dear Editor, Mary Kenny’s column (IC 10/03/2016 ‘Don’t terminate – donate organs, urge British doctors’) seemed somewhat disappointing. First, she declined to question a proposed “legal right to terminate the pregnancy” in cases of fatal foetal abnormality. She thus emitted to highlight the huge moral difference between dying and killing. Next, your columnist neglected to…
Dear Editor, I write regarding Sr Eileen Clear’s letter (IC 03/03/2016). I agree with Church teaching on capital punishment as it has developed to respect the value and dignity of human life in all contexts, including those of abortion, euthanasia, and violent crime. Bur her contention that “For Scalia, the law and constitution always came…
Dear Editor, Last week our acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny, in front of assembled Americans, stupidly insulted every Christian and embarrassed the majority of Irish people by using the expression “Be Jaysus”. This is not the kind of leadership I want for my country. Please, step aside Enda! Yours etc., Anne McGrath, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
Post-natal depression can affect any mum, writes Alison Canavan, so don’t be hard on yourself or afraid to ask for help Alison Canavan There is no denying that having a baby is a very special time in a woman’s life. You want everything to be perfect and we all want to be great parents. We…
Simon Flint describes his first three months as a VMM lay missionary teaching in Africa Simon Flint I came here in November into the searing heat of the warm heart of Africa as Malawi is sometimes called. My first month was spent with Damian and Bridgett who are both volunteers working with Network for a…