Medical research should aim at protecting life – Pope Francis Moral and ethical concerns must guide medical research so it is always directed to the protection of human life and dignity, Pope Francis has said. Speaking at a Vatican-hosted conference on adult stem cell research, the Pope said in this way research can “serve higher values, such as solidarity, generosity, magnanimity, sharing of knowledge,…

An Irish missionary priest working in Brazil has warned that the cost of the Olympic Games being held there during the summer will “increase social problems for many years to come”.  Spiritan Fr George Boran told The Irish Catholic that there is “a lot of anger” among locals with regard to the “huge investment needed”…

The Pope understands that a worthy shepherd must have the pastoral instincts and authenticity that link him with the laity, writes Michael W. Higgins

The bishop at the head of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCOSA) has expressed surprise at an SDLP manifesto pledge supporting integrated education over the shared campus model. The Shared Education Campuses Programme was launched in the North in January 2014 and invests in projects where schools from both communities co-locate and share…

The Church speaks against extremism in Bangladesh, writes Paul Keenan

Theology students at All Hallows College in Dublin pictured before submitting their final theses on the college grounds, from l-r; Luke Taaffe, Laura Fogarty, Tara Hillis and  

A retired High Court judge who headed a Government working group which recommended reform of the processing of asylum seekers in Ireland has called for an amnesty “in the spirit of 1916” for those in the direct provision system for five years or more. Judge Byran McMahon made the suggestion at the launch of an…

A seminar for teachers involved in Catholic education will take place in Dublin next week, hosted by a new group called Clear Vision for Education. The themes covered will be: ‘What does a Catholic ethos mean to a teacher? What challenges do teachers face? What can you do to help your school live up to its ethos?’ Speakers…

This summer’s European Championships could lead to tensions between couples but difficulties can be headed off in advance, a leading Catholic marriage counsellor has said. Commenting on warnings from Relationships Ireland that Euro 2016 could prove a breaking point for already troubled relationships, ACCORD’s Mary Johnson told The Irish Catholic that while the Catholic marriage…

Hopes have been raised that some of the nine new post-primary schools opening next year and in 2018 will be entrusted to Catholic patrons. Le Chéile’s Education Officer Eilis Humphreys told The Irish Catholic the trust was “considering” tendering for one or more of the schools but insisted that “no decision” had been made yet.…