Bills in Ireland and Northern Ireland seeking to ban conversion therapy are too “broad and sweeping”, threatening penalties for “honest conversations” about sexual identity, according to Christian organisations. Courage International, an apostolate of the Catholic Church that counsels men and women with same-sex attractions, as well as evangelical organisations Affinity and the Fellowship of Evangelical…
The Irish Government must speak up about persecution of Christians in the Middle East, international charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) said, as recent videos showed ISIS executing a Christian in Egypt. A 62-year-old Egyptian Christian, Nabil El-Habashy, was killed by ISIS in the Sinai Province of Egypt, which has witnessed several deadly…
Death Comes for the Archbishop a novel by Willa Cather (Virago Press, £8.99/€11.40) Willa Cather’s Catholic classic Death Comes for the Archbishop was recognised from the time of its publication for its excellence. But Ms Cather is an unusual figure in American literature – a prolific author, poet, journalist and schoolteacher –and the romantic flavour of…
Personal Profile As integral to a parish as a priest is the local sacristan. Like a civil servant to the recently elected politician, he or she ensures continuity in change. Since 1973, 91-year-old Mary Geraghty has been a continuous presence as sacristan and volunteer in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Gainstown, Co. Westmeath. As…
Prayer is more than just a mental exercise or form of meditation, said Pope Francis at his weekly general audience, as he reflected on the importance of speaking the words of prayers out loud
Five years on from her death, devotion to Derry nun Sr Clare Crockett continues to grow, as hope increases the Church will soon open her canonisation cause. On April 16, the five-year waiting period required by the Vatican before a potential cause can be considered for the sister – who died in an earthquake in…
John McColgan, founder of Riverdance, said a “quiet prayer” for his friend, the Irish songwriter and broadcaster Shay Healy after he died following a “hard-fought battle” with Parkinson’s. Mr McColgan first met Shay Healy in the 1960s and said they remained friends ever since. Speaking on the Brendan O’Connor radio show, he spoke of how…
A new report for Government recommends “exceptionally liberal” legal recognition of domestic surrogacy arrangements, despite the “exploitative” nature of the practice, a Catholic bioethicist has said. The report by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Prof. Conor O’Mahony, was released April 7 and calls for the introduction of domestic surrogacy. Surrogacy is where a woman…
Homelessness activist Fr Peter McVerry’s interview with Tommy Tiernan met with much acclaim on social media, which he said was “pleasing”. After the 15 minute interview aired on Saturday, Fr McVerry – who spoke out forcefully on the issue of homelessness – was praised for “the quiet force of his witness”. Fine Gael MEP Seán…
Efforts by pro-choice activists to make at-home abortions permanently available are driven by ideology “not how can we help the mother and baby”, say the Life Institute. In March, the Department of Health confirmed at-home abortion services would end after the pandemic. Pro-abortion groups, such as the National Women’s Council (NWCI), are pressuring the Government…