Pro-life Catholic leaders reacted with shock and disgust at an activist group’s projection of pro-choice messages on the facade of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, on the eve of the annual March for Life. The group Catholics for Choice took responsibility for the images, which were beamed…
Brandon Scott Independent NUI Senator Rónán Mullen last week called on Minister Stephen Donnelly to honour a commitment given to tender openly for an independent chairperson as part of the three-year review of the 2018 abortion legislation. Commenting on a Department of Health press release of 8 December last, which said “a request for tender…
Staff reporter The Government has decided to add a new public holiday to the national calendar to honour the country’s female patron, St Brigid of Kildare. The fifth Century abbess, who is one of the country’s three patron saints along with St Patrick and St Columba, founded several monasteries of nuns and her feast-day takes…
France’s Catholic bishops urged citizens to use upcoming elections to restore basic freedoms and “rules of civility”. “We are going through tough and perilous times, but fear is always a bad counsellor, whereas hope opens the way to courageous and healthy choices,” said the Permanent Council of the Paris-based bishops’ conference. “The risk of fracturing…
The Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat in Ethiopia has reiterated its urgent calls for dialogue and unhindered humanitarian access in Tigray, as the UN highlighted an opportunity for a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the northern region. Father Abraha Hagos, director of the Adigrat Catholic Secretariat, said since December, the Church has been unable to…
The energy we have as restrictions end is a chance to call people back to Mass, Ruadhán Jones hears Some grim figures emerged during the pandemic, not least the fact that a good number of regular Mass-goers had not returned after the various lockdowns. However, the Government’s announcement Friday January 21 that the majority of…
Catholic politician rejects accusations in Islamophobia report A Catholic politician has objected to her inclusion in a report on Islamophobia in Europe, saying that it is based on “false accusations”. Marijana Petir, a member of the Croatian parliament, said that the reference to her and others in the European Islamophobia Report 2020, published on December 29,…
The Diocese of Down and Connor presented nine schools across the diocese with the annual ‘Spirit of Catholic Education Award’ to pay tribute to the “inspiring work” they have done. The ceremony was held in St Mary’s University College on Monday, January 24, during Catholic Schools Week, which runs from January 23-30. It was organised by the…
Bishop Donal McKeown encouraged students to “live life to the full”, as he celebrated Mass to launch Catholic schools’ week 2022. Jesus wants us “to be full of love and life”, the bishop of Derry said, adding that this “is the message that Catholic schools have always tried to communicate by word and by deed”.…
Afghanistan has unseated North Korea for the dubious distinction of the most dangerous country in the world for Christians, according to a group that reports on global Christian persecution. A takeover of the government by the Taliban has made it even harder — now, impossible— to live openly as a Christian, advocacy group Open Doors…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady