The Irish public believe that medical practitioners should be allowed to conscientiously object to being involved in an abortion, according to new research. At their National Conference in Dublin on October 6, the Pro-Life Campaign released poll findings showing strong public backing for freedom of conscience protections for healthcare workers from having to assist in…
Over 1,000 young people, who are currently participating or have received the Pope John Paul II Award, gathered on pilgrimage to Knock Shrine at the end of September. Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown celebrated Mass, and was joined by Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan and priests from participating dioceses. The pilgrimage to Knock…
Parents are struggling to support their children financially during the Christmas holidays, a Dublin-based priest has said. Speaking about how Christmas has become over-commercialised, Fr James Noonan OCD, Prior of St Teresa’s Church in Dublin’s city-centre, said that buying presents “is starting earlier and earlier every year”, and that even before Hallowe’en, preparing for Christmas…
The Franciscan Friary at Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath, has marked 750 years of continuous service and presence. It began with an historical drama for local 5th and 6th class children on Tuesday morning, telling the story of the years since 1268 to the present time; that evening there was a Novena to St Anthony of Padua…
Leaders of the main religious traditions in Ireland have said it is vital to focus on restoring devolution in the North, which must happen through “ongoing dialogue”. Bishops and religious met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, on October 8 at Stormont House in Belfast. The meeting took…
Ireland’s new ambassador to the Vatican is already working in Rome and will formally present his credentials to Pope Francis next month. Ambassador-Designate Derek Hannon succeeds Emma Madigan as Irish Ambassador to the Holy See. Ms Madigan, who was appointed to the role in 2014, is widely acknowledged as having played a key role in…
The leader of North Korea wants Pope Francis to visit his country and believes he would be welcomed “enthusiastically”, according to South Korean officials. Kim Jung Un is said to have expressed his desire for the Pontiff to make the trip to Pyongyang during his latest summit with South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in last month.…
Pro-life activists have described as “obscene” the setting aside of €12 million in the Government’s budget for the initial roll out of abortion in Ireland. The Government made clear yesterday that the €12 million contained in the budget is not the total cost envisaged for abortions but just an initial roll out cost, campaigners have…
BREAKING NEWS The UK’s highest court has ruled that a Northern Ireland bakery’s refusal to make a cake with a message supporting same-sex marriage was not discriminatory. The Supreme Court found today that the Christian owners of Ashers bakery did not discriminate against a customer and did not refuse to bake the cake because…
Healthcare professionals who opt out of providing abortion should not be forced to make referrals to a colleague, Ireland’s bishops have told politicians who are currently debating the legislation. The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference have said that because abortions are expected to be drug induced in the first 12 weeks, the right to conscientious objection…
Colm Fitzpatrick
Chai Brady