A two-thirds majority of people have voted to reinstate abstention from meat in particular on Fridays rather than Catholics choosing their penance. In a social media poll conducted by this paper, in which over 250 people responded, 71% called for meat to be struck from the menu like it was before a 1983 decree from…
Don’t rely on a “fat, balding Irish bishop” to speak out and defend the Church, a US cardinal has warned. It is unclear whether the head of the Archdiocese of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, was just talking about himself, but he sent out a strong message not to rely on clergy to defend the…
Reintroiducing meat-free Fridays would help Christian spirituality and the environment according to a monk and a professor. The Friday Fast was changed in 1983 after a decree from the Irish bishops which stated Catholics could fulfil Friday Penance by abstaining from alcohol, smoking, meat or some food, by making a special effort at family prayer…
US superstar Ashton Kutcher has been praised by pro-life groups after posting a Down syndrome advocate’s powerful testimony in front of Congress. The actor shared the video of Special Olympian Frank Stephen’s pro-life message with the message: “Everyone’s life is valuable.” Kutcher’s post comes amid a reignited debate partly led by New York’s recent passing of…
It’s not resourcing that’s the real issue in parishes, but a need to recognise that all those baptised have a “right and responsibility” to use their gifts, according to a psychotherapist and lecturer in pastoral ministry and liturgy. Mrs Jane Ferguson, who will deliver a four week course on pastoral leadership in March, said rather…
A varied diet could save the planet, writes Chai Brady We’re constantly hearing that the planet is on the verge of a precipice, that a veritable apocalypse will befall future generations once the earth’s temperatures rise above a catastrophic level, and the human race is railroading itself with its irresponsible actions – doomed to…
Personal Profile Chai Brady speaks to a pro-life prodigy When disaster strikes it can be a severe test to Faith, and for one of the most devout and well-known figures in the pro-life movement, this was when she lost her mother at the tender age of 19. Bernadette Smyth, the Director of Precious Life,…
The Irish Government should “be working tirelessly” to offer Asia Bibi asylum here according to a group who fight Christian persecution after another effort to prevent her release was batted away. Pakistan’s Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking a review of the verdict that acquitted Ms Bibi of blasphemy on Tuesday. The National Director of…
A clarification from RTÉ accepting that there was no evidence for a claim that Bishop John McAreavey concealed child abuse has apparently disappeared from the station’s website. On Morning Ireland in August it was stated that the diocese had hidden documents concerning child sexual abuse from a child safeguarding audit led by the National board…
Irish missionaries have condemned the actions of an Islamist terrorist group who detonated two bombs at a cathedral in the Philippines killing 20 people and leaving over 100 injured. Fr Shay Cullen, who has worked in the Philippines for 50 years defending human rights under the PREDA Foundation, said he was “shocked”. Speaking to The…