Aontú candidates have praised their party’s performance in the Northern Ireland Assembly election, saying that there’s a “good, solid base” to work with going forward. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, East Derry candidate Gemma Brolly said that the party “dived in at the deep end” and that the public supported their efforts. “Our performance…
A study that purported to show that non-religious teachers are hiding their beliefs out of fear it could affect their job prospects in schools with a religious ethos has been condemned as providing “no basis for advocating change to policy or to law” by a Catholic educationalist. Leading theologian and professor at Mary Immaculate College,…
The European Parliament May 3 adopted a report on the persecution of religious minorities that has been denounced as “openly hostile towards religion” by human rights experts. Second-class rights The report, Persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion, was criticised by the Catholic Church, with the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of…
Staff reporter Tweeting May 4, pop music superstar Madonna asked Pope Francis if they could meet and discuss “important matters”. The famous singer took to Twitter to ask the Pope for an audience, writing: “Hello @Pontifex Francis —I’m a good Catholic. I Swear! I mean I don’t Swear! Its been a few decades since my…
Staff reporter A recent peer-reviewed study has debunked claims that legalising euthanasia or assisted suicide (EAS) leads to fewer non-assisted suicides. Director of the UK’s Anscombe Bioethics Centre David Jones said that their study, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, and Suicide Rates in Europe, has shown that current European data reveals a “consistent association” with increased suicide…
Speaking on Vocations Sunday, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan warned that “screaming” voices in the media can draw us away from God. Bishop Cullinan, chairman of the council for vocations in the Irish bishops’ conference, said that “the only voice that really matters, is the voice of God” in his homily during Mass for vocations Sunday, May…
Cardinal George Pell said Friday that the recent testimony of Cardinal Angelo Becciu at the Vatican finance trial “was somewhat incomplete”. He drew particular attention to a lack of evidence regarding payments of more than $1.6 million made to Neustar Australia, an information services firm, in 2017 and 2018. Cardinal Becciu, who was the second-ranking…
An Irish inter-faith gathering has said EU governments should recognise the unique role churches and faith communities play in maintaining “the soul of Europe”. The comments come in a report submitted to the Conference on the Future of Europe, based on a meeting between Irish churches and faith communities in Dublin City University. Participant The…
Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, founded by Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron, issued a brief statement May 2 saying it had fired an employee possibly over an incident involving some unwelcome advances. “The accusations against this employee surrounded events in the employee’s personal life, not the Word on Fire workplace, and did not involve…
Staff reporter Bishop Fintan Gavin said that everyone can help promote vocations to the priesthood, as the diocese of Cork and Ross launched a fresh appeal for people to consider becoming priests. Bishop Gavin launched a diocesan prayer card for vocations at St Joseph’s Church, Glanmire, Co. Cork on Saturday May 7. Speaking at the…
Ruadhán Jones