Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe takes the opportunity to snap proceedings at Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, to mark the close of the Jubilee Year of Mercy last Sunday, November 20. Photo: Sean Curtin True Media.
Courtney McGrail
State facing costly if simple solution
Dear Editor, Various organisations from time to time criticise the management and policies of Church schools, usually Catholic. In many instances they are correct but several things are overlooked not the least being the Constitution. Article 44, for instance, provides that every religious denomination shall have the right to “maintain institutions for religious or charitable…
The Pope’s plea: let people out of prison
The Pontiff’s call for mercy is an opportunity rather than a threat, writes Eoin Carroll
Miriam’s ‘Mad Hair Day’
RTÉ broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan was on hand to encourage children everywhere to have a ‘Mad Hair Day’ this December 16 for a good cause. A fundraising initiative of the Society of Missionary Children, the event calls for children to adopt zany hairstyles as they collect money for poverty stricken children across the world. This year…
Through our silence we conspire in a myth
Dear Editor, I was interested to read the letters of Gearoid Duffy’s and James Rourke (IC 3/11/16) on the theme of remembrance/atonement in regard to babies who have died through abortion. A friend and I had a similar idea, and you were kind enough to publish a letter of mine along these lines a few…
El Salvador prelate calls for security rethink
Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas of San Salvador, El Salvador, has urged the government to re-examine its anti-gang initiative amid claims that it has failed to make citizens safer from ongoing violence. Plan El Salvador Seguro was launched in mid-2015 towards curbing murders and extortions carried out by the country’s notorious gangs. However, while latest…
A new look at Catholic Emancipation
The Catholic Church and the Campaign for Emancipation in Ireland and England by Ambrose Macaulay (Four Courts Press, €40.00)
Senator brands John Halligan the Donald Trump of Irish politics
John Reid Independent Senator Rónán Mullen has branded Minister for Skills John Halligan as the Donald Trump of Irish politics, due to intemperate language he has used toward opponents of his latest controversial push to legalise euthanasia. Mr Halligan is planning to introduce a private members’ bill which, if enacted, would make it legal to…
News in Brief
Education proposals ‘attack’ faith schools A new submission to the Department of Education from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) attacks the rights and ethos of faith schools, the Iona Institute has claimed. The institute has especially challenged the commission’s recommendation that faith schools lose their right to accommodate children of their religious…
Pope concludes Jubilee Year with appeal for enduring Mercy
Pope Francis has concluded the Year of Mercy with a call on the Church and faithful to “identify and practise” new works of mercy. In an act mirrored in churches around the world last Sunday, the Pontiff closed the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica to officially end the jubilee year, and reminded pilgrims in…