“Everyone should have access to health care and health coverage”, America’s bishops have said in a submission to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, describing as “a laudable statutory goal” the prevention of sex discrimination in health programmes and activities.  However, the comments filed by the General Counsel of the U.S. Conference of…

“It will change the way of life here in the short term, but God only knows what the longer term is going to be.”

Congregation denies mismanaging property The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples has denied accusations of cronyism in renting out properties in Rome. Responding to news reports that Vatican-owned apartments were rented far below market value, with several owned by the congregation being rented at nominal rates to politicians, entertainers and Vatican employees’ relations, the congregation issued a statement…

Former Taoiseach John Bruton said the Government should have given the issue of same-sex marriage more thought before pushing ahead with a referendum. Mr Bruton said he felt more time should have been given to look at the effects of same-sex marriage on children. Speaking on Newstalk’s Moncrieff show on the day of Ireland’s first…

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin has tweeted his joy that both of Ireland’s national soccer teams have qualified for the finals of the 2016 UEFA European Championship. “Delighted that both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland are both now through to #EURO2016,” Dr Martin tweeted, continuing, “Well done to all!” The Primate of All Ireland…

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is now spending more than the Department of Social Protection on helping people tackle the cost of “exceptional needs”. Since 2008, the department’s expenditure on exceptional needs has dropped from over €80 million to just €29 million this year. The number of payments each year has also…

Irish couple saved ‘by the grace of God’

Maura Garrihy (Youth Ministry Director, Galway diocese) and Siobhán Bradley (Youth Ministry Director, Tuam archdiocese) were among nine Irish delegates who travelled to Kenya on a Trócaire mission trip last week to meet the family, including Daisy (pictured), who will be the focus of the charity’s 2016 Lenten campaign.

The Bishop of Elphin has welcomed this week’s announcement by the Minister of Education and Skills of major capital funding for the amalgamation of two Athlone schools. Bishop Kevin Doran said the investment “is a significant vote of confidence in the new co-educational second level school which is due to open its doors in September…

A new film on the sex abuse crisis fails to tell the bigger story, writes Phil Lawler