American popstar Britney Spears took to Instagram to vent about church closures during Covid which she claims prevented her from having the Catholic wedding of her dreams. In a now-deleted post, Ms Spears said that she’d wanted to marry in St Monica Catholic Church in Southern California, but was prevented from becoming a regular attendee…
The number of legal abortions taking place in Poland decreased by 90% in 2021, following a court ruling that banned abortion in the case of a foetal medical diagnosis such as Down syndrome. According to a report by the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, data from the Ministry of Health shows that the number of legal abortions…
A new exhibition, ‘A Man for all Seasons’, on the life of the late Bishop of Derry Edward Daly was launched Wednesday 3, August. Exhibition It will be on display at St Eugene’s Cathedral Hall, Infirmary Road, from August 8-14. The exhibition – which is supported by Derry & Strabane Council – features items linked…
Opus Dei in Argentina has responded to a BBC news story about a complaint made to the Vatican by 43 women who claim to have been exploited by the Catholic apostolate. In a communiqué, Opus Dei told ACI Prensa that it considers it necessary “to set up a listening and study commission that will allow…
Volunteer opportunities’ at Catholic hospital in Kenya. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Mutomo in Kenya are offering opportunities for volunteers both at the hospital and in the community. The hospital partners with organisations for volunteer and residency programs as well as community health programs such as children and mothers’ initiatives, water and sanitation. They also…
Pope Francis appoints personal health assistant The Vatican announced August 4 that Pope Francis has appointed a “personal health care assistant”. Pope Francis has selected Massimiliano Strappetti, a Vatican nurse whom the Pope has credited with saving his life, to provide additional assistance as the 85-year-old Pope faces mobility problems. “A nurse, a man with a…
Letter insists younger faithful embrace Church teaching EXCLUSIVE Hundreds of young Catholics have signed a letter to Church leaders challenging the widespread perception that younger people in the Church want teachings to change. The organisers of the letter – which attracted more than 500 signatures in less than a week from young committed Catholics before…
The country’s largest pro-life rally could be banned or face re-routing in the capital under controversial proposals being drawn up by Fianna Fáil Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. Mr Donnelly has vowed to ban any pro-life protests or events within 100 metres of where abortions are carried out in so-called ‘exclusion zones’ despite the fact that…
The Church in Cork and Ross has to embrace change now or it will be left with no choice, Bishop Fintan Gavin has warned in a pastoral letter, August 2. The Bishop of Cork and Ross comments came as he announced structural changes to the diocese, with the introduction of ‘families of parishes’. “We have…
Staff reporter There is no “causal link” between priestly celibacy and the abuse of children, according to a recent report. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry published the finding in ‘The psychology of individuals who abuse children – Roundtable 1 Findings’. The experts stated that celibacy may involve problems ranging from many of those who are…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady