The Laudato Si’ Working Group (LSWG) held an online meeting with Minister for Environment, Climate Action, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan last month where the role of local faith groups in their efforts to combat climate change and other environmental issues with state agencies was discussed. During the meeting the LSWG highlighted the commitment of the Irish bishops…
For Ukrainians, there is still hope within horror
For a generation born after a certain period in Europe, war and its perverse consequences have thankfully not been all too intimately known. In fact, the vast majority of Europe’s inhabitants – save the likely elderly of World War II and the middle-aged products of the Cold War and The Troubles – have largely been…
World must be responsible for legacy left behind in climate change battle – Trócaire lecture
Speaking at the St Patrick’s College Maynooth Annual Trócaire Lecture, Fr Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator SJ, the former President of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, warned that we must collectively commit to assuming “responsibility for the legacy we will leave behind once we leave the world” and that modern Catholic social teaching can inform Catholics…
Church leaders in Holy Land condemn ‘wanton attack’ in Gaza
After a disputed incident in which more than 100 Palestinians were killed while attempting to access humanitarian aid in Gaza, Church leaders in Jerusalem have condemned what they described as a “wanton attack” and called for a ceasefire. In a March 1 statement, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem pointed to the February…
Bishops signal support for ‘No, No’ votes in care and family referenda
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has said the upcoming referenda relating to the definition of family is “likely to lead to a weakening of the incentive for young people to marry” and has urged people to oppose the two proposed amendments to the Constitution in the March 8 referenda. In their statement, the bishops said…
Accord prepared 7,262 couples for marriage across Ireland in 2023
New data from Accord, the agency of the Irish bishops’ conference concerned with supporting the sacrament of marriage, shows that 7,262 couples were prepared for the Sacrament of marriage across the island of Ireland in 2023, and the figure for 2022 was 7,470 couples.
Leading Irish politician mentions Synod during Dáil session
The leader of the Green Party and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, referenced the Church’s synodal process as he paid tribute to late former Taoiseach John Bruton. Speaking in the Dáil last Wednesday, the TD reminisced about Mr Bruton’s life and political legacy, describing him as “a Christian democrat”. “He was a Christian democrat. I…
Survey finds a quarter of six year olds have a smartphone
A recent survey commissioned by CyberSafeKids to coincide with Safer Internet Day, has shockingly revealed that a quarter of six year olds have a smartphone. The 23-page report published by CyberSafeKids on Tuesday, which focusses on topics such as cyberbullying, combatting online grooming, sexting and pornography and gaming, endeavours to offer greater clarity into the…
Faith communities have so much to offer NI politicians says priest
Fr Martin Magill, a priest based in Belfast and member of the 4 Corners Festival, a festival striving to bring all members of the North’s communities together, has said that faith communities of all hues and creeds have so much to offer politics in Northern Ireland but the engagement hasn’t been forthcoming and the opportunities…
Never underestimate role of Faith in addiction recovery says Pioneer priest
Speaking in the build up to Temperence Sunday on Sunday 11, Spiritual Director of the Pioneers Fr Robert McCabe, said that the role of Faith in a person’s recovery from addiction is vital and offers consolation and guidance to those who are seeking long-term sobriety after treatment. “Faith is one of the twelve steps,” he…