An Oireachtas report on the fertility industry has been accused of treating babies, eggs, sperm, wombs and embryos as “consumer items”. The report from the Joint Health Committee examines proposed legislation aimed at regulating Assisted Human Reproduction practices. One recommendation, if followed, would allow women to give their own babies to infertile couples in return…

Antrim Rose Orlágh McClinton [pictured] has picked the Michaela Foundation as her chosen charity as she attempts to be crowned Rose of Tralee. Hailing from Glenavy, the 22-year-old said she is “delighted” to be supporting the Catholic organisation which has faith as one of its central tenets. The foundation was established to honour the life…

A man has been charged in relation to an incident that occurred during the annual blessing of graves at Dundalk cemetery in Louth over the weekend. James McDonagh (28), with an address at Glenmore Park, Muirhevnamore in Dundalk, appeared before the district court on Tuesday. The first charge is unlawful use of a car, the…

Trócaire have thanked Bishop John Kirby for serving as the Church-charity’s chairperson for 20 years after his resignation as the Bishop of Clonfert was accepted by Pope Francis. CEO Caoimhe de Barra said Bishop Kirby’s “passion and enthusiasm” helped drive the organisation, and that he was “deeply committed to campaigning for social justice”. “He helped…

A poll of visitors at the National Ploughing Championship to find their traditional prayer is intended to boost an awareness of faith and the importance of prayer, Bishop Denis Nulty has said. The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, in whose diocese this year’s ploughing championships will take place in September, said that with over 85%…

Bishop condemns Westminster MPs undermining devolution   The vote by Westminster MPs aimed at imposing abortion on Northern Ireland if Stormont does not reconvene by October 21 has been described as an “inherently bad decision”, by the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown. The Westminster vote is uniting Christians of all denominations in protest at the…

While the date July 12 usually provokes fears about violence and sectarianism in the North of Ireland, a priest on the frontline has said this year was the “quietest ever”. Fr Gary Donegan CP, nationally renowned for his ongoing commitment to conflict resolution and peace building in the country, said that while there was some…

An Irish nun has been congratulated by the President of Ireland for decades of work in Pakistan, and for being awarded the highest honour of St Mary’s University, Twickenham in London. Hailing from Co. Clare, Sr Berchmans Conway (89) was presented with the Benedict Medal by the Archbishop of Westminster and Chancellor of St Mary’s…

As the world celebrates the anniversary of the moon landing people should remember the “gruesome” situation many migrants face along the Earth’s man-made borders, a leading theologian and academic has said. It was July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. Prof. Eamonn…

A row has broken out between two leading scientists over whether science and religion are compatible.  Prof. David McConnell, Pro-Chancellor at Trinity College Dublin, a former lecturer in genetics, has said that science has “made it difficult for many people to believe in dogmatic religion”. The honorary president of the Humanist Association of Ireland wrote…