When there is tragedy anywhere in the world, it is usually children who suffer the most. Although the Catholic Church and Trócaire are helping to keep children in Kenya from disease, starvation and abuse, it is a problem that has deteriorated due to severe drought. The Diocese of Lodwar was established in Turkana County, Northern…
In a land where Irish missionaries have delivered life-saving services and education, there is profound gratitude towards Ireland, but now conditions in Kenya have become utterly dire. A woman breastfeeds her child despite being severely malnourished, and still smiles after walking 30km in blistering heat from her village to a health centre. Helen Eipa, who…
The Christian Brothers have continued to defend their decision to sell pitches worth €18m beside a Dublin school, as they are under legal obligation to do so. Despite backlash from the Board of Management of Clonkeen College in Deansgrange and the local community they have made no indication they will renege on their legal commitment…
A decision that Northern Ireland’s abortion laws are best decided by Stormont has been described as “very welcome” by Pro-Life groups. Three judges in the Court of Appeal ruled unanimously that the current abortion laws are not incompatible with the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), and that legislators should be tasked with dealing with…
‘Generating awareness a real challenge’ Irish bishops are beseeching parishes to take action as millions of people face famine in East Africa on a scale described as “absolutely frightening”. Bishops north and south of the border are appealing for aid to be supplied and awareness to be spread of the growing crisis, after prolonged droughts…
There are “gravely insufficient” supports and services for Irish teens at risk of suicide, according to a Mater Hospital psychiatrist. This comes as a Unicef report found that Ireland has the fourth highest suicide rate among teenagers in the EU. Prof. Patricia Casey, a UCD and Mater hospital psychiatrist, has said the emergency services are…
A priest who is a volunteer coastguard has been warning parishioners of the many hazards related to water he sees each summer as temperatures rise. With the recent hot weather, Wexford priest Fr Tom Dalton highlighted issues such as cold water shock and the dangers of inflatable toys. With many children jumping into water in…
The Church needs to combat homelessness by lobbying politicians and Government according to a well-known activist. Fr Peter McVerry said that the homeless crisis in Ireland is a political problem, and no matter how many Catholic charities such as Focus Ireland, Crosscare and the Peter McVerry Trust get involved the fundamental issues won’t be solved.…
Ireland is delivering 100 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to help refugees from South Sudan who are fleeing their homes. This includes tarpaulins, blankets, cooking sets and mosquito nets which are being airlifted to refugee camps in Uganda. South Sudan has been embroiled in a civil conflict since December 2013 with refugees escaping to neighbouring countries.…
Christians are finding it increasingly difficult to share their faith in the workplace and even among family, according to the newly appointed Presbyterian Moderator. Rev. Dr Noble McNeely was officially installed as the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland (PCI) at a general assembly on Tuesday in Belfast. He told the congregation that…