Pope Francis has hailed John Hume’s tireless commitment to the peace process. In a message read at Mr Hume’s funeral in Derry, the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that the Pope was saddened to hear that Mr Hume (83) had died on August 3. “Mindful of the Christian Faith that inspired John…

The Health Service Executive (HSE), in partnership with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), has launched a new sexual health campaign titled ‘Play it Safe’. According to the HSE’s website the aim of the campaign is to provide young adults with access to helpful information to support them in safeguarding their sexual health and wellbeing during the…

General Practitioners providing abortion services received €2.9 million in fees in 2019, according to figures released by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figure was released in response to a query from independent TD Carol Nolan, who described it as “staggering”. Deputy Nolan said the €2.9 million was taken from the National Women and Infants…

A Dublin pub which facilitated parents who weren’t allowed to attend their children’s Confirmations due to Covid-19 by livestreaming the Mass on their TVs is gearing up to host more family members for Communions next week. The Kingswood Lodge, which is across the road from the parish church, helped parents mark the occasion as a…

Laois-based priest Fr Paddy Byrne has highlighted what he has described as the inadequacy of the State’s accommodation for asylum seekers, claiming that the coronavirus pandemic has shown the “cracks in society where the vulnerable are”. Referring to the controversial Direct Provision system, Fr Byrne said that: “One thing I’ve discovered…is that Covid-19 erupts where…

While commentators are often quick to point to a perceived lack of support for the Church, latest research indicates that priests have outstripped both journalists and politicians in terms of levels of public trust. The IPSOS MRBI Veracity Index for 2020 has shown that clergy elicited 54% trustworthy responses from those polled, remaining the same…

Ireland bids farewell to a prophet and a peacemaker Delivering an island at peace was John Hume’s life calling, the bishop of his native Derry has said. Bishop Donal McKeown told The Irish Catholic that the city was overcome with two emotions when news of Mr Hume’s death was announced by his family on Monday.…

Jason Osborne Chelsea FC striker Olivier Giroud [pictured] was seen sporting a jersey over the weekend which read, “Choose Jesus, Eternal Life”. While this was set against Chelsea’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal, the star seeks his solace elsewhere. The French national and world cup-winner is a staunch Christian and has expressed his faith in…

A Dublin pub has been helping parents come together to celebrate their child’s Confirmation this week by opening early and livestreaming the event. Due to the coronavirus some parents haven’t been able to attend Confirmation ceremonies, with only the sponsor being allowed in some churches. After being asked by the parents of children receiving Confirmation…

EPIC, the Irish emigration museum, has removed a photograph of abortion activist Margaret Sanger from its buildings after a complaint about her racist and eugenicist views. Ms Sanger, the daughter of Irish emigrants to the US, was recently “cancelled” by American-based abortion provider Planned Parenthood due to her “racist legacy”. In light of this decision,…