Despite calls to scrap the Angelus the Head of Religious Content at RTÉ has said the majority of the public want to keep it, with most of complaints coming from “secular quarters”. Renewed criticism of RTÉ’s daily Angelus broadcasts surfaced after the findings related to mother and baby homes investigation were published on January 12.…
A place where women were encouraged to keep their children
Despite healthcare failings, the Dublin hostel run by the Legion of Mary was more compassionate than many at the time, writes Chai Brady One of the institutions in the final report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes published last week stands out as somewhat of an anomaly among the 18 investigated,…
Tribute to Loreto Sister who ‘dodged bullets’ in Kenya
An Irish priest working in Kenya has paid tribute to Sr Colombiere Kelly IBVM, who died last week after spending decades changing culture and educating girls. Fr Conor Donnelly, who is based in Nairobi, said Sr Kelly went to East Africa and became principal of a Catholic school in 1952 during very challenging times. “There were…
Tributes paid to ‘outstanding’ HIV pioneer Fr Michael Kelly
The Irish Jesuit is remembered as a missionary who contributed to the health and wellbeing of the African people, writes Chai Brady Tributes have been paid to Irish priest Prof. Michael J. Kelly SJ who died in Zambia on Friday. He was 91 years old, and was a world-renowned authority in the fight against HIV/AIDS.…
Mentos and Coke: and explosive combination
Children’s Corner A very popular experiment which always delivers quite spectacular results is the Diet Coke and Mentos geyser. It’s a lot of fun and sure to amaze your friends and family (assuming you do it outside rather than inside your house). Apparatus – Large bottle of Diet Coke – About half a pack of…
Report lifts lid on harsh and unforgiving attitudes towards unmarried mothers
The commission doesn’t shy away from laying blame at the foot of families as well as Church and State, writes Chai Brady The responsibility for the “harsh treatment” of unmarried mothers “rests mainly with the fathers of their children and their own immediate families”, according to the commission investigating the institutions. The report – which…
Online theology course to be launched this month
The Loyola Institute is moving its ‘Faith Seeking Understanding’ course online, making it more accessible to a wider audience across Ireland and the world, in order to help those who want to become more “literate about their Faith”. The four-week course in theology is intended to introduce participants to the wealth of theological insight available…
Welcoming the unknown and building a Church in Ireland which is universal
Respecting and supporting migrants and culture is key to protecting against racism, Chai Brady hears Racism is sadly part of every society, mostly due to fear of the unknown, although fortunately it exists relatively to a lesser extent in Ireland as the country is more tolerant than many others according to a Jesuit sociologist and…
Priests call for calm after fatal shooting
Local priests have called for a thorough, transparent investigation and calm among the community following the fatal shooting by gardaí of a 27-year-old man in Clonee, Dublin last week. Fr Mathew Binoy SVD of Mountview and Blakestown Parish told The Irish Catholic there is “a lot of tension in the area” after George Nkencho was…
Hopes papal visit will stop ‘horrific’ loss of Christians in troubled Iraq
The monumental decision taken by Pope Francis to visit Iraq in March will no doubt be one for the history books. Although the current pontiff is no stranger to visiting territories plagued by conflict and seemingly perpetual violence, this will be the first time a Pope has ever visited Iraq, a country which is the…