A group working for school choice in Ireland has welcomed British Prime Minister Theresa May’s move to boost Catholic schools in Britain by eliminating the religion-based admissions cap and permitting the building of more Catholic schools. Barrister Patrick Treacy of Faith in Our Schools said Mrs May’s identifying of Catholic schools as a key part…
Paul Keenan
Catholic Schools Partnership announces key appointments
The Catholic Schools Partnership (CSP), the body representing all stakeholders in Catholic education in Ireland has announced two major new appointments. Fr Richard Byrne OCarm will become the body’s chairperson, while Mr Ferdia Kelly assumes to the role of chief executive. Fr Byrne is currently Provincial of the Irish Province of Carmelites. He has a…
Muslim leaders open a new front against extremism
An entirely new front in the war against so-called Islamic State (ISIS) was opened up at the end of August, and once again, the bulk of the western media missed it. More eager for the immediacy of daily bombings in Syria and battlefield gains by Turkish tanks and allies in pushing ISIS ever further back…
Bishop condemns ‘shameful’ vandalism of Jewish graves
Bishop Noel Treanor of Down & Connor has condemned a vandal attack on Jewish graves in Belfast as a “shameful” act. Delivering a homily in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, after the discovery of 13 smashed headstones at the City Cemetery off the Fall’s Road, Bishop Treanor called on all to “reflect on the destruction” in…
Homelessness crisis is ‘out of control’ – McVerry Trust
The chief executive of homeless charity the Peter McVerry Trust has said the crisis of homelessness is now “out of control”. Reacting to newly released figures showing that those living in emergency accommodation are at their highest since records began, Pat Doyle said the effects of this reality are being felt by charities such as…
South Africa’s new beginnings
Voters have delivered a new political landscape, writes Paul Keenan
Father reveals how faith helped him through loss of daughter
A young father has spoken powerfully of how his faith helped him to cope with the tragic illness and death of his infant daughter. Speaking to the Sunday Independent newspaper six months after the death of baby Mary, Co. Antrim man Rodney Beggs revealed the heartache that came with being informed by doctors that his…
Justice at last for Orissa’s Christians
Good news in India was tempered with a sad loss, writes Paul Keenan
World News in Brief
Chilean Bishop welcomes talks A Catholic bishop in Chile has welcomed moves to establish a forum for dialogue towards ending violence and arson attacks in the Araucania region. Bishop Hector Vargas of Temuco said such a forum for talks “will be very positive” if they are conducted for “the common good of all inhabitants”. The proposal of talks…
Vatican Roundup
Pope meets French President in wake of Hamel killing Pope Francis has followed up on a private phone call he received from French President Francois Hollande in the wake of the brutal murder of Fr Jacques Hamel in Normandy to host the French leader at the Vatican. Touched by Mr Hollande’s call to express condolences in the wake of the killing, Pope Francis…