Scottish Catholic bishops have criticised legislation establishing so-called “buffer zones” around abortion facilities, warning it represents a serious erosion of civil and religious freedoms. In a recent statement, the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 “restricts free speech, free expression, and freedom of religion in ways that should…
Names of streets and parks are the least of Dublin’s worries Dear Editor, on a recent trip to Dublin, I was mulling over the obsession some politicians nowadays have over changing the names of roads and parks, which, according to them, do not reflect the Irish Republic. We discuss changing the names of roads, etc.,…
Clarification regarding Allianz correspondence Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the letter from Fr Joe McVeigh of Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, published in your 27th November edition, in which a number of factual inaccuracies regarding Allianz were stated. Allianz P.l.c is not an Israeli-owned insurance company. Allianz p.l.c is an Irish-incorporated and Irish-regulated entity,…
Remember the song lyrics: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love!” It’s hard to disagree with such a sentiment, especially at the present time when nations and people are at war with each other. Love is a beautiful thing, and we could use more of it. However, the world is in need of…
The Department of Education and Youth has just launched a survey to get the views of parents and guardians about the type of primary schools they want for the future. The survey, which is all online, is for parents and guardians of children currently in primary school or who will enter primary school in the…
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) has said that the government needs to do more to tackle fuel poverty among vulnerable groups such as single parents. With annual household energy bills set to rise by €321 according to a recent report, SVP said that households at risk of poverty – particularly those with…
The Bishops of Ireland have expressed their collective support for the joint Trócaire and Laudato Si’ Working Group (LSWG) campaign for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. On behalf of LSWG, Bishop Martin Hayes said, “Emissions[1] due to the use of fossil fuels have been identified as the main driver of the climate crisis[2]. Despite…
Adapting to the increasing demand for digital news services, the Irish Bishops’ Conference has introduced a multimedia platform designed to share “not only the Good News but our whole lives as well” (1 Thess 2:8). Titled TheWay, the platform acts as an online network where the audience can browse through written, visual, and audial content…
10,000 children around Ireland gathered in schools, parishes, and homes to pray for peace in Gaza as a part of the global ‘A Million Children Praying the rosary’ campaign on October 7. Organised by the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the campaign is inspired by a quote from St Padre Pio,…
Five men were ordained to the permanent diaconate on Sunday, September 28 by Archbishop Eamon Martin. The ordinations took place at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Colman in Newry. Four of the new deacons will serve in the Diocese of Dromore, including Seán Farrel from Tulylish Parish, Patrick Gallagher from Craigavon Parish, Daniel…