Tánaiste Micheál Martin refused to commit to bringing up the plight of Christians during his visit to China, while stressing that Ireland condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion. Although restrictions on expressing the Christian Faith in China have been on the rise since 2018 according to a number of charities, the…

Irish charity Ruhama has praised as “comprehensive” and as a “victim-centred roadmap” the Government’s new action plan aimed at preventing and combating human trafficking. The anti-sexual exploitation NGO however additionally called on the Government to allow for the reunification of families affected by human trafficking, “on the understanding that their lives and the lives of…

During a visit to South Korea, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar laid a wreath at a shrine dedicated to Irish missionaries and peacekeepers who died in conflicts in Korea. The deaths of Columban Fathers and one Anglican sister during the Korean war in the 1950s “were such a loss to Korea as well as Ireland”, said…

Polish psychiatrist, Wanda Póltawska, often referred to as St John Paul II’s ‘soulmate’ due to the depth of their friendship and extent of their correspondence, has died in Kraków at the age of 101. Originally from Lublin in eastern Poland, Ms Póltawska was a member of the Polish underground that fought the Nazis during World…

Archbishop Eamon Martin unveiled a plaque at the family home of Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth. Archbishop Martin remembered the former Primate of All Ireland, who led the Church in Ireland from 1977 until his death in 1990, as a “good shepherd” who some would have “unfairly labelled him…

Fermanagh parish opens post box to Heaven The team at Aghalurcher Parish in Co. Fermanagh have erected white post boxes at their graveyards at both St Mary’s Maguiresbridge and Holy Cross Lisnaskea to enable parishioners to write letters to deceased friends and family. The white ‘Letters to Heaven’ post box enables parishioners to write letters,…