Dolphins self-medicate skin conditions with coral A rash might send humans rushing to the pharmacy, but when some dolphins get skin conditions they queue up to rub themselves against coral with medicinal properties, new research suggests. According to the study, the animals are selective about which coral they use to self-medicate. Co-lead author Angela Ziltener,…
Bishops start fund to help displaced in Burkina Faso Tens of thousands of residents who have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict in Burkina Faso, prompting Church leaders to mobilise funds and aid to assist those facing difficulties due to the conflict. According to the International Crisis Group, the landlocked West African country with…
As a “first choice”, members of the Italian bishops’ conference decided to focus their study of clerical sexual abuse in the country on cases reported to the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2000 to 2021. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, the new president of the conference, told reporters May 27 that…
Charlotte Vard Just last month, echoes of laughter and exclamations of pleasant surprise were heard throughout Newbridge Parish Centre, as we hosted sixth class Confirmation retreats. For just three days, Confirmation students were given the opportunity to grow in their faith, have fun, and build relationships. I’ve said it for the past nine years and…
After the Catholic Church’s persistent call for humanitarian assistance in Tigray, the arrival of hundreds of aid trucks in the northern Ethiopia region is a sign of hope for millions of people driven to the brink of famine by war, said a Church source. Since the start of the war in November 2020, the Church…
Dear Editor, The recent discussion on the proposed new maternity hospital, planned for the grounds of St Vincent’s University (general) Hospital, needs serious critical analysis. Apart from specific issues in relation to the project, there was a strong undertone calling for the ‘liberation of Irish society’ from the influence of religion-based morality in public services.…
Helen Vysotska Love Notes Can’t we accept that people have different values when it comes to sex outside marriage? We need to be realistic: times have changed since the Bible was written. Modern culture tells us that if something feels good and we want it, we should have it. Go ahead, YOLO (You Only Live…
Pope calls for stricter gun laws after Texas shooting Saying his heart was broken at the news of at least 19 children and two adults being shot and killed at a Texas elementary school, Pope Francis said it was time to say “Enough!” and enact stricter laws on gun sales. At the end of his…
Fr Billy Swan The recent controversy over the ownership of the National Maternity Hospital brought the issue of Catholic ethos sharply into focus. The central issue played out in the media was that medical procedures in the hospital should not be influenced by Catholic ethos. Why? Because a Catholic ethos, it is assumed, is an…
Ruadhán Jones and Chai Brady Mass attendance down by two-thirds in some parishes The country’s largest diocese is preparing for what has been described as “radical change” and consolidation of parishes. It comes as statistics reveal a steep decline in Mass attendance – even before the pandemic – with some parishes seeing a drop of…