The fastest growing religion in Ireland is poorly understood as our society’s growing secularism consumes public conscience. It’s been well-documented that between the 2011 and 2016 census a large amount of people no longer identify as Catholic (although it is still overwhelmingly the largest religion at 78.3% of the population). There is one Christian denomination…
Almost 100 women who access an Irish charity’s services are victims of sex trafficking, according to a new report. Ruhama has helped vulnerable women involved in prostitution in Ireland for over 25 years, and its 2016 Annual Report shows they assisted 304 women of 37 nationalities. The charity was founded as a joint initiative of…
Instances of anti-Semitism in Ireland are often linked to political beliefs relating to the Israel/Palestine conflict, according to the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland (JRCI). This has led to young people hiding their Judaism, and causes Jewish students not to engage in discussions about the conflict according to Maurice Cohen, chairperson of the JRCI. “I…
Young Jewish people don’t want to draw attention to their creed due to anti-Israel sentiment in Ireland, according to a Jewish representative body. Irish Jewish people are conscious of being overt about their Judaism as they “do not want to attract the generally obsessive nature of anti-Israel demonisation which goes on in Ireland”, according to…
Women who have been trafficked and subsequently forced into prostitution in Ireland sometimes don’t know what country they’re in. Ruhama, an Irish charity that provides services for women involved in prostitution, often tackle challenging cases in which extremely vulnerable people are exploited by profit-fuelled opportunists, and transported like cargo both internationally and within countries. “The…
Locals in Sierra Leone have shown a “huge desire” to overcome the tragedy of a mudslide and floods that left hundreds dead, according to Trócaire’s Sorcha Fennell. The death toll has risen to almost 500, and over 600 people remain missing after last week’s massive mudslide – caused by heavy rains. It devastated multiple communities,…
The newly ordained Bishop of Raphoe has urged Stormont to support an Irish Language Act – a contentious issue in Northern Ireland. Bishop Alan McGuckian, a fluent Irish speaker and scholar who translated a biography of St Ignatius of Layola into Irish, called on politicians to agree on the act. “Given the support there is…
A former Gaelic footballer has opened up about the importance of his faith, saying he “prays regularly”. Sportsman turned fashion designer, Paul Galvin, who played on the Kerry senior team for over 10 years, spoke about the issue of homelessness in Ireland and the importance of going to Church. Mr Galvin, who is launching a…
An initiative to encourage people in nursing homes to sell or rent their properties won’t be effective, and this group should be the last targeted, according to Fr Peter McVerry. Several actions to deliver homes by utilising empty properties were announced this week by the Department of Housing which includes a ‘Fair Deal’ scheme, in…
Ireland’s newest bishop – Dr Alan McGuckian SJ – on the challenges facing the Church in Ireland. He was speaking after his episcopal ordination in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.