The voice, and the specific vocation and charism of women are needed in the Church now more than ever, said Archbishop Eamon Martin during Mass at the Shrine of St Brigid at Faughart, Co. Louth, marking the saint’s feast on February 1. “St Brigid is certainly an inspiring example of the indispensable contribution that women…
Exclusive Ireland has lost the equivalent of 300 primary school classrooms in a single year due to abortion, according to the Bishop of Achonry and Elphin, Dr Kevin Doran, who has warned that the consequences are now being felt in school closures and declining enrolments across the country. Citing official figures showing that 10,852 babies were aborted…
Lifelong advocate for the homeless, Sr Colette Hickey, founder of Good Shepherd Cork, which works with women and children at risk of homelessness, celebrated her 108th birthday on January 31, making her one of the oldest living persons in Ireland today. Edel House emergency accommodation, founded by Sr Hickey in 1972, said she is “a…
Laoise de Brún has accused the Irish media of “manufacturing consent” on contested social issues, arguing that “they prepare the ground for Government policy by manufacturing consent and amplifying the official narrative around the issues of the day”. Writing in this paper about her experience campaigning on gender policy, Ms de Brún says that after…
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown has said the Catholic faith needs to move away from an idea of “service delivery” and towards “community organisation,” in a recent interview with The Irish News. The bishop believes this is an opportunity for “renewal of the Church, not as a service-delivering body, but as a community organisation providing…
While Storm Chandra has moved on, its emotional and psychological impact continues to be felt by many older people, particularly those living alone, an advocate has warned. Tony Carroll, an author, befriender and nursing home advocate, said the storm brought a renewed sense of vulnerability for older people who may already struggle with isolation or…
As the Church marked the World Day of Consecrated Life – on the Feast of the Presentation – women religious across Ireland spoke of joy, hope and renewed purpose, challenging assumptions that vowed life has lost its relevance in modern society. For Sr Faustina, a member of the Poor Clares in Galway, consecrated life speaks…
Baroness Nuala O’Loan has warned that proposals to legalise assisted suicide risk redefining “care and compassion” as the facilitation of death, arguing instead that true compassion lies in providing proper care and support at the end of life. Speaking amid ongoing debates in Westminster, Scotland and the Isle of Man, the crossbench peer said the…
Northern Ireland Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a comprehensive response to the recent Supreme Court judgment on Religious Education and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools. The package includes a review to revise the Religious Education (RE) curriculum and the introduction of formal inspection of RE across all schools. There are no plans to…
Thousands of graduates who voted in previous Seanad elections have been removed from the voting register, and most people affected are unaware, said Independent Senator Rónán Mullen. Senator Mullen is calling on all Irish graduates to re-claim their right to vote on the www.seanadvoter.ie website, or by writing to SeanadVoter.ie at P.O. BOX 13784, Dublin 2. A new six-seat constituency,…
Renata Steffens