The UCD U-turn on sending a representative to St John Henry Newman’s canonisation wasn’t based on the Government’s last minute decision to send someone, but to avoid an “insurrection” by past and present academics of the university according to an Irish magazine. With the “more senior, elder academics mobilising, the scene was set for academic…
To help mark this year’s Week of Witness (25 November-December 1) in support of persecuted Christians around the world, Aid to the Church in Need (Ireland) has released a short film which follows how a commission from Archbishop Eamon Martin for a devotional statue to St Oliver Plunkett, that would also lead people to see…
Fr Seán Cassin’s charity says debt and fear keeps worried families quiet An Irish priest and anti-trafficking campaigner focused on Vietnam has said that the deaths of 39 people in a lorry in Essex is only the tip of the iceberg and the tragedy has exposed the inhumanity of the criminals and the desperation…
Bishop Tom Deenihan has called on fellow members of the hierarchy to prioritise the handing over of some Catholic schools to the State to defend the Catholic nature of remaining schools. “I believe that the State needs, from both a practical and political viewpoint, movement from the Church in relation to divesting,” Dr Deenihan told…
The final document of the Amazon synod has caused “mixed” reaction among the faithful, as it calls for the Pope to consider the ordination of married priests and women for diaconal ordination. Theologian Dr John Murray, based in DCU, said although allowing married priests in isolated South American communities would be “practically useful”, it should…
While Bishop Phonsie Cullinan drew media attention for recent comments critical of yoga and mindfulness in Catholic schools, the hierarchy has said that secular mindfulness has awakened in people a sense of the spiritual nature of life. A Reflection on Mindfulness – Rediscovering the Christian Tradition of Meditation and Contemplation was apparently approved by the…
Violence and looting in Chile is underlined by massive inequality in society, according to an Irish priest, who says it was like “a bomb exploded” this month. Hailing from Kilkenny Fr John Greene, who is on loan to the Columbans from the Archdiocese of Dublin, told The Irish Catholic all the supermarkets in his area…
Ashley Bratcher, lead actress in the box office hit Unplanned will be the keynote speaker at the Pro Life Campaign National Conference in the RDS, Dublin, this Saturday, November 2. The movie about Abby Johnson’s journey from Planned Parenthood abortion clinic director to one of America’s most effective pro-life voices reached No.4 in box office sales across…
Pro-life voters in the North are targeting the SDLP for the party’s refusal to intervene over Westminster’s imposition of abortion on the region. As part of their ‘Fight Back’ campaign Precious Life held protests outside the constituency offices of SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Mark H Durkin. Organisers say the protests are in response to…
Catholics are being urged to mark the Aid to the Church in Need ‘week of witness’ by praying for those persecuted for their faith. Wednesday, November 27 – known as Red Wednesday – will see many churches and other buildings illuminated in red to recall Christian martyrs and those who have died for their faith.…
Chai Brady