Some level of positive discrimination is “essential” to safeguarding minority faith schools, Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on education has said. Meath East TD Thomas Byrne warned against removing the provision of the Equal Status Act, which prohibits religious discrimination, claiming that Church of Ireland and other minority religious schools “could suffer disproportionately” as a result. Referring…

The Pro Life Campaign has said that politicians supporting Mick Wallace’s Private Members’ Bill on abortion are doing a real disservice to families of babies with a life limiting condition, particularly those who have been pressured to abort their child. Pictured (L to R) Aifric Ni Fhloinn, PLC spokesperson Cora Sherlock, Emma Sisk and Lorraine…

The charity Mary’s Meals is planning a fundraising walk from Dublin to Knock. The walk, intended to build on the success of a similar walk last year, begins on August 7 at the Spire on O’Connell Street, and will end in Knock on the feast of the Assumption, August 15.  Talks about the walk, accompanied…

Some of the thousands of participants at Belfast’s tenth annual All Ireland Rally for Life. 

“Receive Mercy, Share Mercy, and Celebrate Mercy” was the threefold theme of a pilgrimage organised by Valleymount Parish, Co. Wicklow, to mark the Year of Mercy.  Stopping at Mount Argus Church, the Wicklow parishioners were treated to a talk on St Charles of Mount Argus by Fr Frank Keevins. After adoration, Confession, and being blessed…

The future success of the European Union in the wake of the Brexit vote is dependent on the extent to which its “spiritual roots” are kept alive, Bishop Brendan Leahy has said.  “Europe is about more than simply economics or social policies,” the Bishop of Limerick told The Irish Catholic.  “The European project was about…

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland has awarded an Irish missionary nun an Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty of Public Health in recognition of her 42-year contribution to healthcare in Sierra Leone. Mayo-born Sr Hilary Lyons graduated as a doctor from UCD in 1952, nine years after joining the Missionary Sisters of the Holy…

Staff reporter Archbishop Eamon Martin has urged Catholics to remember the First World War, while praying on the spot where Irish troops died at the Somme. “In remembering the horrors of the war a century ago it helps us to redouble our efforts towards building peace, healing and reconciliation,” the Primate of All-Ireland said. “I know…