Holy See’s UN Representative issues call on human rights The Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations has stressed to the body that human rights supersede the authority of states and governments. During a debate at the UN headquarters in New York on the issue of human rights, Archbishop Bernardito Auza insisted: “Human dignity is inherent to every human being and to…
Courtney McGrail
What kind of president do we want?
Dear Editor, There is a lot of discussion at present as to whether President Michael D. Higgins will – or indeed should – seek a second term as Uachtarán na hÉireann. Indeed, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is 16 years older than the President is now and shows no sign of slowing down. Pope Francis is…
US Bishops welcome passage of Conscience protection legislation
The US Catholic Bishops have welcomed the passage of legislation designed to protect the conscience rights of pro-life Americans who are against funding abortions or participating in terminations as medical practitioners. The US House of Representatives passed the Conscience Protection Act on July 13 by 245 to 182 votes. A key component of the Act…
Catholic voters favour Clinton – study
Catholic voters in the United States are leaning strongly towards supporting Hillary Clinton in the forthcoming presidential election, according to a new study from the Pew Research Centre on Religion and Public Life. According to the data, Mrs Clinton is the more positive option over Donald Trump by 56-39% among voting Catholics. Pew points out…
Flowers in France
A man prays in front of a makeshift memorial on July 15 in Nice as people pay tribute near the scene where a truck ran into a crowd killing more than 84 people the previous evening. Photo: CNS
High papal honour for west Cork nun
A 99-YEAR-OLD Presentation Sister has received a prestigious papal honour. Bishop John Buckley of Cork and Ross presented Sr Alphonsus O’Brien with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal in St Patrick’s Church, Bandon, on Saturday, July 2. The medal is awarded by the Pope to lay people and clergy “who have made a remarkable contribution…
World News in Brief
Cardinal Nichols welcomes Prime Minister May’s appointment Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster has welcomed the new British premiership of Theresa May. In a letter sent to Mrs May as she assumed her duties at 10 Downing Street, the cardinal pledged his personal support and said: “I am personally delighted at your appointment. I know from the work we have done together…
Bishop calls for calm in wake of Turkey’s failed coup
A leading Catholic prelate in Turkey has called for calm and dialogue in the wake of a failed military uprising there. As Turkish authorities continue a crackdown against thousands of suspected participants in the failed July 15 coup, as well as against members of the judiciary, Bishop Paolo Bizzeti, Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia, who is…
Social Justice Ireland urges Govt to push major infrastructure spend
Social Justice Ireland (SJI) is calling on the Government to commit to a €1 billion spend on infrastructure in Budget 2017. Arguing that investment in infrastructure is “crucial to addressing Ireland’s infrastructure deficits”, SJI also points out that such an allocation of funds “would be a far better use of resources than giving tax cuts…
Best to be a Meath priest
“It is good to be alive; it is better to live as a priest; it is best to be a priest in the Diocese of Meath!” So declared Fr Oliver Skelly, parish priest of Coole, on the 25th anniversary of his ordination. Prior to becoming parish priest of Coole, where the anniversary Mass was celebrated…