Pro-life groups have criticised Amnesty International’s latest campaign using celebrities to call for legalising abortion in Ireland. Graham Linehan, one of the writers of Father Ted, and his wife Helen have collaborated with Amnesty on a short campaign film calling on the Government to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Mrs Linehan had an abortion in 2004…

Pope Francis has apologised for scandals in Rome and the Vatican, without saying which scandals he has in mind. Speaking at his Wednesday audience in St Peter’s Square, he said that “Jesus is realistic and it is inevitable that scandals occur,” continuing, “But woe to the person who causes scandal. Before I start this catechesis,…

An independent TD has accused RTÉ of “watering down” its longstanding presentation of the Angelus. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae criticised “any change in the way the Angelus is presented” following the broadcaster’s major revamp of the twice daily minute-long reflection. Noting that the Angelus had been aired “for decades”, Mr Healy-Rae warned that “any watering…

The Synod of Bishops on the Family is not being manipulated, rather the distortion rests in how it is being depicted or seen by a number of people, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington has said. “I don’t think the synod itself has been tainted, but the lens through which it is being seen by many,…

The Bishop of Derry has warned that the Church is “failing in its mission” by not reflecting the female perspective in its structures, while Baroness Nuala O’Loan has called for an amendment of Canon Law to allow women to participate in decision-making. At a Mass to mark the quincentenary of St Teresa of Avila’s birth,…

Members of the Synod of Bishops would like the synod’s text to be clear, straightforward, and accessible so people can be encouraged to live the vocation of marriage and family life, and believe Scripture should be more prominent in the synod’s final text, including examples of holy couples and Jesus’ interactions with families. The 13…

Staff reporter Music superstar Justin Bieber has revealed that he has returned to his Christian faith after an “uncomfortable phase” and found solace through a personal relationship with God. The 21-year-old Canadian singer has chosen Purpose for the title of his upcoming album because “I felt like I lost my purpose… and I feel like I…

Those affected by abuse need extra special care – expert Catholics who are too angry, disillusioned or afraid to return to the Church because of clerical sexual abuse need very special care, according to an observer attending the Synod of Bishops. Maria Harries, a member of Australia’s Truth, Justice, Healing Council said in an interview that abuse by clergy has led to a crisis…

A new book has been launched which reveals the faith experience of Irish people living abroad.  The collection of essays ‘Dissonant Voices: Faith and the Irish Diaspora’, edited by Conn MacGabhann, is written by people including Fr Des Wilson, Fr Joe McVeigh and Msgr Raymond Murray and came about from a conference of the same…

A commemorative concert was held in the RDS Concert Hall on Friday to celebrate 200 years since Venerable Mary Aikenhead founded the Religious Sisters of Charity. Among those who attended the concert were President Higgins’ wife, Sabina, former Lord Mayor, Councillor Vincent Jackson and a wide circle of families, friends and benefactors including a large…