An impoverished view of the importance of family life is behind calls to remove the so-called ‘women in the home’ clause from the constitution, female Catholic activists have insisted. It comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed this week that he would like to see a referendum take place next year, after claims that the clause…

Pope Francis announced that the next assembly of the Synod of Bishops would take place in two sessions, as he said that he didn’t want to rush the process of discerning how the Holy Spirit is mcalling the Church to grow in “synodality”. The synod assembly will meet October 4-29, 2023, as previously planned, but…

Fr Richard ‘Dick’ O’Riordan, who worked to tackle the brutality of apartheid in South Africa, is to receive the 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Award. He was among the 11 award recipients announced by Minister Simon Coveney to acknowledge their contribution as “high-achieving” members of the Irish diaspora. “Their service and commitment is a shining example…

Spain’s Salamanca Cathedral is hosting a first-of-its kind exhibition showcasing the first “hyper-realistic” recreation of the body of Christ based on the details derived from the Shroud of Turin. Composed of latex and silicone, the sculpture weighs about 75 kg, and shows the deceased Christ in rigor mortis, with no “false modesty” included, according to…

As parishes in the diocese of Ferns are to be served by teams of priests in the future, Bishop Ger Nash is mulling changes to how priests will be paid. Bishop Nash also proposed transitioning from priest to lay chairs on primary school boards in a statement following a diocesan gathering earlier this month. As…

The Government’s announcement that a time-limited eviction ban, running from November until March, is the “least-worst option”, according to Threshold. The measure means tenants can’t be issued an eviction notice unless they do not pay rent or damage the property. The Chief Executive of the priest-founded housing charity John-Mark McCafferty warned they are seeing a…

Seoul-based Fr Donal O’Keeffe has criticised the “very provocative” military behaviours of countries in East Asia, including the US, following an uptick in missile launches and artillery fire from North Korea into the demilitarised zone. Tensions are “flaring” again between North and South Korea, Fr O’Keeffe said, after North Korea recently fired a barrage of…

A case on whether or not Catholics are entitled to have the record of their baptism destroyed has been adjourned until December. Dublin-based Martin Meany has launched High Court proceedings over what he claims is the Data Protection Commission’s failure to complete an investigation of a complaint he made over the Church’s refusal to destroy…

Irish charity Concern Worldwide have teamed up with nutrition company Kerry Group to support 46,000 Kenyan farmers by providing access to climate-smart agricultural practices. The four-year deal will help farmers to combat the “devastating impact” climate change is having on the Tana River region, Concern said in a statement. Many of the Tana River farmers…

States use financial muscle to dictate terms with Faith-based NGOs, Ruadhán Jones hears Appreciation for the contribution religious and faith-inspired providers make to social and health services has been replaced by ideology, TD Carol Nolan has said. The Independent TD criticised the “bullish” desire in Ireland to dispense faith-inspired service providers to give the State…