The deaths of 32 babies in Northern Ireland who were born alive following attempted abortions have raised urgent questions about medical practice, legal responsibility and accountability, according to Precious Life director Bernadette Smyth. The figures were revealed in the Northern Ireland Assembly by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, who cited death registrations listing “Termination of Pregnancy”…
The centenary celebrations of Venerable Matt Talbot this summer drew bumper crowds and sparked renewed momentum for his cause for canonisation, according to Michael Murphy of the Knights of St Columbanus. “We didn’t realise going into the centenary year how big of a success it was going to be,” Mr Murphy said. “Not alone for…
Bishop Fintan Gavin has said the Church has a vital role to play in responding to mental health challenges by creating spaces where people feel safe to speak without fear of judgement or stigma. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, the Bishop of Cork and Ross said his early training in residential social care, addiction counselling…
By Pedro Esteva & Garry O’Sullivan Two Irish bishops have told this paper that they are hopeful for the future of the Irish church as they see signs of renewal in their dioceses. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore believe that signs of renewal are already visible. At a recent Come and See day in…
Bishop Brendan Leahy says Catholics should not see interreligious dialogue and evangelisation as competing tasks, but as two sides of the same Christian mission. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, the Bishop of Limerick, said genuine dialogue always includes sharing the faith because authentic encounter requires honesty about who we are. “If I am genuinely encountering…
During the Jubilee Year, more than 10,000 Irish visitors passed through the doors of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, arriving in pilgrimage groups for tours, hospitality, and liturgical celebrations. Reflecting on the College’s role in welcoming pilgrims from Ireland, the Rector, Fr Paul Finnerty, stated: “The Jubilee at the College has been marked by…
The Irish Catholic spoke to women at St Michael The Archangel parish at the weekend, after a Vatican commission last week ruled out the possibility of ordaining women to the diaconate because it was part of “Holy Orders” reserved for men. The decision was sharply criticised by some high profile Catholic women including former Irish…
More than 800 people gathered at Knock Shrine to mark the centenary of the first Saturday devotion, commemorating the apparition received by Sr Lucia at Fatima on December 10, 1925. Amid escalating global unrest, the gathering focused on the promises of peace made by Our Lady. Guest speaker Antonia Moffat stressed the urgency of the…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has warned that Labour’s proposed gender identity legislation would “damage the health and well-being of children”, arguing that public policy must be grounded in science rather than ideology. Deputy Tóibín cautioned that debates around gender have “for far too long… been driven by ideology”, to the detriment of young people…
Relics of Venerable Matt Talbot were recently hosted at the First Friday evening Mass at the Church of All Saints, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, by the Knights of St Columbanus. A First-Class relic, a tip of the Venerable finger, his rosary beads and the chain he was wearing when he collapsed and died, were brought to Ballymena from…
Martina Purdy