The Islamist terror group’s return to power in Afghanistan will embolden extremists worldwide, the director of Aid to the Church in Need Ireland has said, putting vulnerable Christians at even more risk. The failure of the US and its allies in Afghanistan “validates” the ambitions of Islamists worldwide, Dr Michael Kinsella said. “Other Islamists will…
Senator Rónán Mullen sent a letter to Maynooth’s president, questioning the ethics of their collaboration on a survey about “anti-choice protests”. The university is collaborating with Together for Safety, a pro-abortion lobby group who are gathering information on “protests” outside abortion facilities. Mr Mullen called the group’s survey the “antithesis of objective academic research”. He…
While some studies associate religiosity with conspiracy theories, organised religion is a bulwark for reason, writes Ruadhán Jones The continuing prevalence of, even rise in, belief in conspiracy theories causes some incredulity in the intellectual elite and scientific communities. How could it be, that the age of reason has given way to an age of…
Personal Profile When Helen Vysotska entered University College Dublin, she knew she wasn’t happy – she just wasn’t sure why. Practically in the first week, however, Ms Vysotska was drawn to the Newman Catholic society. Within a few years, the shallow faith of her youth took root and flourished and Ms Vysotska is now the…
As a new exhibition on the founder of the Presentation Sisters opens in Cork, one of the co-creators said Venerable Nano Nagle is “unfairly overlooked” today. The Irish nun “dedicated her adult life trying to educate as many children as she could, to give them the best chance at having a better life”, Jessie Castle…
An Irish woman in Kabul is poised to leave the Afghanistan capital when the airport reopens, saying her family is “really worried” for her safety. Aoife MacManus, from Co. Meath, has been in the Afghan city for two years working in the primary education sector. She is one of a small number of Irish citizens…
After young people gathered for Youth 2000’s hybrid summer festival, the bishops praised the “great hope” their enthusiastic return brings. The festival, which took place from August 13-15, was an occasion of “joy and energy”, said Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross. “The physical gathering, particularly the healing service on the Saturday night –…
The Bishop’s comments come after the Press Association (PA) reported that a sectarian bonfire in Derry City is “held annually to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption”. The bonfire on Lecky Road, in the Bogside, was due to be lit August 15, coinciding with the Catholic Church’s celebration of the Assumption. The Bishop of…
The annual retreat for young Catholics took place in 10 different locations across Ireland, with a higher turnout than expected, Youth 2000’s national leader has said. Peter Sands said the hybrid-festival, mixing in-person and online gatherings, “went very well, we were extremely blessed. Attendance was very good, higher than expected, online as well as in…
The purpose of the law in Christian life is not to forcibly subjugate others, but to teach men and women the way to obtain true freedom in Christ, Pope says