Senator Rónán Mullen has rejected calls for the forthcoming citizens’ assembly on the abortion to be held behind closed doors. Speaking to The Irish Catholic this week amid the latest row over the assembly – whether or not to reveal the identities of its members – Senator Mullen said that, while he had always objected…
Staff Reporter The Irish Times has been accused of “systematic, persistent, and overwhelming bias” in favour of abortion following an analysis of its reporting by the Life Institute. The Life Institute undertook a three-year examination of all articles published by the daily newspaper between January 2013 and December 2015 to reveal that of all published articles,…
A Canada-based Irish theologian has criticised French moves to limit Muslim women from expressing their faith. Prof. David Deane, who teaches at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia, said the decision by the Mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard, to ban the wearing of ‘burkinis’ – full body beachwear favoured by some Muslim…
Violations of religious freedom are increasing worldwide, a new report from the US State Department has revealed. Produced annually, the Report on International Freedom for 2015 reveals that in addition to the expected violations committed by non-state actors such as so-called Islamic State and Boko Haram, “amongst the most egregious abusers of religious freedom in…
Filipino Bishops criticize use of Bible to justify death penalty Catholic bishops in The Philippines have taken to task boxing champion and politician Manny Pacquiao for his claim that the Bible sanctions reviving the death penalty in the country. The famed athlete, known for his Christian devotion, was delivering a speech to the Filipino Senate when he began to quote passages of the…
A group in Nigeria calling itself the Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders (NDRC) has threatened to carry out reprisal attacks on Muslims and their mosques if Boko Haram follows through with threats to increase its attacks on Christians. In a statement issued by the group following the threats, made by Abu Musab al Barnawi, the new…
The Vicar Apostolic of Aleppo of the Latins has described the situation for his people in the Syrian city of Aleppo as “critical” as fierce fighting for its control goes on. Stuck in the Lebanese capital Beirut as the latest stage in the Syrian conflict forces road closures, Msgr Georges Abou Khazen said that through…
Leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have heeded the urgings of the country’s Catholic bishops and have begun to lay the groundwork for a national dialogue to avoid violence in the run-up to national elections. Amid tensions caused by the strong suspicion that current President Joseph Kabila will attempt to maintain his grip…
Call for Islamic leaders to speak up for peace The president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has urged Muslim leaders who insist their faith is one of peace to make their voices heard over those of hatred and violence who claim to be inspired by the Koran. Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo said that while the vast majority of the world’s Muslims…
The controversial term ‘fatal foetal abnormality’ is expected to be used in new formal guidelines to help health service workers deal with grieving parents, it is understood. As The Irish Catholic went to press, sources indicated that new guidelines entitled ‘Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death’ would include the term which…
Paul Keenan
Greg Daly