The appointment of Bishop Michael Duignan to head the Diocese of Clonfert is “hugely significant” as a vote of confidence by Pope Francis in the future of the diocese, worshippers at the new bishop’s ordination Mass have been told. Preaching in St Brendan’s Cathedral, Loughrea, Msgr Cathal Geraghty noted how the initial announcement of Bishop…
Category: Irish News
Govt caves in to pressure over Canonisation ‘no show’
Following intense pressure from The Irish Catholic newspaper and lobbying from diplomatic and political circles the Irish Government late Tuesday belatedly announced it will send the Minister for Education to Rome for the Canonisation of Cardinal Newman on Sunday. Pressure was building on the Government after it emerged that Prince Charles and a dozen MPs…
Pray for peace’ in Hong Kong as violence worsens – Irish missionary
An Irish priest based in embattled Hong Kong has called on people to “pray for peace” as months of protests have become increasingly violent. He said that a recent ban on face masks, which caused further clashes over the weekend, has “hardened the position of protestors”. Fr Michael Cuddigan SSC said he couldn’t celebrate Mass…
Pro-life film runs for second week – despite protests
A pro-life group has dubbed a demonstration outside a Galway cinema “bizarre and intolerant” after over a dozen people protested the screening of a film, which has been extended to run for a second week. The protestors gathered outside Omniplex in Salthill on Friday of last week, in what is believed to be one in…
Abortion and domestic abuse are ‘symptoms of a society obsessed with choice’
The British imposition of a liberal abortion regime on Northern Ireland is “appalling” and “undemocratic”, Ireland’s newest bishop has said. Speaking in Drogheda on international ‘Day for Life’ Sunday, Armagh’s Auxiliary Bishop Michael Router said Westminster’s attempt to introduce abortion in the North is “not only appalling in itself but also undemocratic as the citizens…
Bare-faced cheek: Facebook ban Glenstal monks book ad
The social media giant Facebook have found a new book by the Glenstal monks in Limerick too raunchy for their platform. Published by Columba Books, ‘Glenstal Abbey: through the seasons’ depicts the lives of the Limerick based monks and includes some religious paintings by resident monk and artist Br Emmaus. However Facebook told Columba Books…
Precious Life says Westminster abortion guidelines for NI ‘spell death’
Guidelines published by the Westminster government on abortion law set to be imposed on Northern Ireland have been dubbed “vague” and could “open the floodgate” by a pro-life group. The abortion guidelines, published this week for healthcare professionals, cover a period from October 22 of this year to March 31, 2020. These guidelines will only…
Expert ‘coalface voices’ vital in end-of-life debates
Doctors must drive debates around assisted suicide, and should not allow politicians and lobby groups to dominate the discussions, a conference of doctors has heard. Speaking at the fifth conference of the Irish Catholic Doctors Learning Network, Dr Chris Garrett said terms like “death with dignity” have been hijacked by advocates of euthanasia and physician-assisted…
Education Minister says faith ethos can’t hinder sex ed classes
Ethos cannot be allowed to interfere with the teaching of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools, Education Minister Joe McHugh has said. Speaking during a debate about a report on RSE published by the Oireachtas Education Committee, he said even now, “schools are obliged to teach all elements of the [RSE] curriculum”. Minister McHugh…
Dublin archbishop caused IEC ‘cloud’
A top Vatican cardinal has accused Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of excessive negativity and in focusing too much on the Church’s failures. Speaking at the Autumn conference of the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) in Dublin, Cardinal Peter Turkson, who heads the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral…

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