Politicians and a pro-life campaigner have decried the recent enactment of the Safe Access Zones legislation, a law that prohibits conduct ‘aimed at impeding access or influencing decisions’ 100 metres from an entrance or exit to a premises that provides abortion, as being “authoritarian”, “draconian” and represents “a bad day for civil rights in Ireland”. Speaking…
Category: News
Paris archbishop condemns firing of Catholic school principal
The archbishop of Paris spoke out last week against the firing of a Catholic school administrator who was accused of violating French laws prohibiting religious expression in educational settings. “We must be able to proclaim the Gospel in Catholic schools,” Archbishop Laurent Ulrich stated in an interview with Radio Notre Dame, OSV News reported. “It must…
Italy criminalises surrogacy sought by Italian citizens abroad
The Italian Senate of the Republic last week passed a bill making it possible to prosecute surrogacy sought even outside Italy, with violators potentially facing both prison time and a fine as high as €1 million. Surrogacy has been illegal in Italy since 2004. The prohibition is contained within the country’s Law 40, which regulates medically…
Cancellation from baptismal register reaches record high in Belgium
Sexual abuse in the ranks of the Catholic Church is so preoccupying Belgian society that thousands of people are turning away – by being “de-baptised”. In Belgium, more than 14,000 people turned their backs on the Catholic Church in 2023 – more than ever before. This was announced by the Church in a recent annual…
Catholic Primate ‘alarmed’ at unapproved school texts
The Primate of All Ireland has said he is “alarmed” by the ongoing debates around school SPHE textbooks and training which include controversial lessons around gender ideology and sexuality, adding the Church has not approved the use of these resources. Speaking exclusively to The Irish Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin has said that no SPHE (Social Personal and Health Education) or RSE…
Catholics told to lobby politicians about Assisted Dying Bill
In advance of the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying discussion, which takes place in the Dáil today, representatives from both politics and the Church, including Archbishop Eamon Martin, called on people to either “seek commitments” from TDs and senators or alternatively “lobby their politicians now and in the run up to…
Dublin hosts first Catholic career summit
A Catholic Career Summit will be held for the first time in Dublin on October 26 and will feature a range of speakers covering both professional and faith-oriented topics, including debate, business showcases, and plenty of time for discussion. The summit was organised in response to a gap in the professional world for Catholics to…
Faith continues to help missionaries tackle ‘evil’ and alleviate suffering
Irish missionaries continue to uphold dignity and human rights in some of the most challenging countries across the world, particularly where “there’s a lot of suffering”. The Director of the Loreto Sisters mission in Rumbek, South Sudan, who runs two schools and a healthcare clinic said that “over the years we’ve had different wars in…
‘Peace is always achievable’ says former Irish chaplain in Lebanon
A Wexford priest who has served as chaplain to the Irish Defence Forces in the Lebanon has urged all parties involved in the recent escalation of conflict in the country to actively cooperate and ensure that the “hatred, division and war” that plague the state are ended once and for all, adding that even in…
‘First of many’, Muslim girl awarded a JP2 medal
A Muslim girl Afia Jahin Isha, who is a student at St Leo’s College, a Mercy school in Co. Carlow, has been awarded a Gold Award during the Kildare and Leighlin Diocesan Pope John Paul II Award ceremony. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Cathríona Kelly, Parish Coordinator at the Parish of Graiguecullen/Killeshin said the “programme is…