The role of women in the Archdiocese of Dublin must be addressed to ensure full participation as many express a “sense of marginalisation”, according to a report from an archdiocesan taskforce. The report, called ‘Building Hope’, aims to map out the development of the archdiocese’s pastoral plan. The taskforce began its work six months ago…
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious Ireland (AMRI) is engaged in “ongoing dialogue” with the Department of Justice over issues regarding the Minister of Religion visa. Justice A working group was established by AMRI to dialogue with the Department of Justice “over the difficulties associated with acquiring Minister of Religion visas, and this…
The Bishop of Derry warned that a private member’s bill calling for integrated education in the North is a “very narrow piece of legislation”. Bishop Donal McKeown was speaking as the Stormont education committee took views on the proposed legislation by Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong. Currently there is legislation which obliges the Department of Education…
The funeral of the last remaining founding member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and civil rights activist, Austin Currie, evoked poignant tributes from many who have benefitted from his tireless campaigning for civil rights in Northern Ireland. Speaking during one of two funeral Masses held for Mr Currie, chief celebrant Fr Dean Kevin…
Nearly 20% of Irish women changed their minds about getting an abortion in 2020, according to HSE figures obtained by Laois-Offaly TD Carol Nolan. There were 6,455 abortions in Ireland in the first trimester of pregnancy in 2020, but 8,057 women had an initial consultation with a doctor about receiving an abortion. This has been…
Covid-19 may have struck “at the very heart” of the Church’s outreach and ministry to the sick, the dying and the bereaved, but it “could not, and did not, and will not destroy” the hope and belief that God is with those who are suffering, Archbishop Eamon Martin told those gathered at Knock last Saturday.…
Archbishop Stanisław Gadecki has called for “fervent prayer” to end to the migrant crisis at the country’s border with Belarus. Archbishop Gadecki, who is the president of the Polish bishops’ conference, addressed what he described as “dramatic events” on the roughly 250-mile border between Poland and its eastern neighbour. The Polish government, the European Union,…
A commitment from Stormont to launch an inquiry into mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland has been hailed as a “watershed moment” by Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill. The Northern Irish Executive is committed to the “unequivocal and full implementation” of the recommendations set forth by an expert panel, which included measures such as…
Pope Benedict met with four recipients of the Ratzinger Prize at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican last Saturday. The meeting lasted one hour and allowed each of the academics to discuss their work with the Pope–emeritus, according to a statement from the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation. Before parting ways, the group prayed…
US President Joe Biden sent the Irish rugby team a prayer and asked them to “spread the faith” before their win against New Zealand’s All Blacks over the weekend. Mr Biden sent a letter prior to Saturday’s match wishing them luck and sending them a blessing. He said: “As the Irish blessing says, ‘Wherever you…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones