Spirit Radio host Wendy Grace has hit out at the “unnecessarily cruel” restrictions on maternity care throughout the pandemic. The restrictions include the exclusion of fathers from attending pregnancy appointments and the early stages of labour. Nervous Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mrs Grace said she is seven months pregnant herself with her third baby,…
Category: Irish News
Religious illiteracy ‘one of the challenges of our times’, says Bishop Noel Treanor
The bishop of Down and Connor’s statement came after a representative from the Holy See warned the EU’s security organisation that ‘hate speech’ laws are often used to “frighten or intimidate Christians”. Intolerance for public, faith-based opinions is “often advanced through accusations of ‘hatred’ or ‘hate speech’, equating religious beliefs to hate and thus depicting…
Belfast Jewish community receives ‘very upsetting’ threats of picket
A synagogue in Belfast received “intimidating” phone calls telling them to condemn Israel or face a picket, following increased violence in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Speaking in a personal capacity, Michael Black who is the Chairman of the Belfast Jewish community said some members of the community felt afraid to go…
Return of crowds in NI boost for players and spectators
The absence of supporters at sports matches was “to the detriment of the game” and their return should prove a help to players, a priest who works with Derry City FC said. Up to 500 people can attend sports matches in Northern Ireland from May 24, an announcement from the Executive’s Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey…
DCU Chaplaincy raises €20,000 in a day for Covid-struck Indian diocese
The chaplaincy launched the campaign as a “sign of solidarity” with Indian students as India suffers a “catastrophic” Covid spike, Catholic chaplain Fr Seamus McEntee said. The chaplaincy’s campaign is linked to the Multipurpose Social Service Society (MPSSS) of Cuddapah diocese, Andhra Pradesh, India, a registered charity which works with local people irrespective of their…
Catholic actors Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson begin film on priest’s life
Catholic actors Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson are to star in a new film about an American priest, which has just begun filming. In Stu, Wahlberg will star as Fr Stuart Long, a onetime boxer who became a priest and died in 2014, while Gibson will play his father. Variety, a show business magazine, reported…
Brazil’s Becker gives glory to God after Liverpool win
Liverpool’s Alisson Becker dedicated his recent goal versus West Brom to his late father, who drowned near his home in Brazil in February, saying “I’m sure he was seeing, with God at his side, celebrating”. The Brazilian goalkeeper displays great faith in God, regularly tweeting scriptural passages to his 1.2 million followers, his account reading…
Hospitals working in the dark following cyber attack – chaplain
Chaplaincy work is “slower, but hasn’t stopped,” according to Fr John Kelly of Tallaght University Hospital following the recent cyberattack. The HSE’s IT systems were brought to a standstill last week following a “significant” ransomware attack. “Naturally, patients are anxious, but like the HSE we here in Tallaght University Hospital will be assuring patients that…
Declan Ganley’s Mass-ban case now moot, says judge
A high court judge has said Catholic businessman Declan Ganley’s case against Covid-19 restrictions on Mass is moot as the restrictions have lapsed
Archbishop Farrell defends Church sex-ed in Catholic schools
Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell has defended the place of Church teaching on sexuality in Catholic schools, despite a backlash by politicians. Dr Farrell insisted that the new sexuality and relationships resource Flourish affirms the “core of Judeo-Christian religion” and “celebrates life and love”. Dr Farrell was speaking at the annual conference of the Catholic Primary School…