It would be “unwise and unhelpful” to decide how the final listening report will be handled at the early stages of Ireland’s national synod, according to Bishop Paul Dempsey of Achonry following concerns about the process. A number of leading laypeople have called on the Irish bishops to return their final listening report when it…
Independent Dáil members have described as “bizarre” Government suggestions that families might forgo Christmas nativity plays this festive season while sports stadiums and night clubs are full. It comes as the Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon warned that the suggestions have a disproportionate impact on children and young people since no such plans have been…
The Social Democrat’s Sex Education Bill introduced into the Dáil last week is an “attack on pluralism and diversity”, said Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín. The Meath-West TD accused the Social Democrats of trying to “force their ethos on other families who don’t want it”. “We believe that all parents should be able to send their…
Pope Francis has appointed a long-time Vatican diplomat to be his personal envoy to Medjugorje, following the death of Polish Archbishop Henryk Hoser in August. Pastoral situation Dr Hoser had overseen the pastoral situation in the shrine, the site of reported Marian apparitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, since 2017. He died in Warsaw at age…
Fr Paddy Moran CSSp, who served as a missionary in Ethiopia for 11 years, made a passionate plea for prayers for the war torn country The Spiritan’s plea comes as the Irish Government advised its citizens to leave Ethiopia immediately, over concerns for their safety. Ethiopia, Fr Moran said, is “the birthplace of life”, but…
Staff reporter Dom Richard Purcell has resigned as abbot of the largest Cistercian monastery in the country. Dom Richard, who made history in 2009 by becoming the country’s youngest abbot at just 33, has led Mount Melleray since moving from Roscrea in 2017. However, he tendered his resignation last week. Order of Cistercians A statement…
A report issued last week declared the treatment of Christian minority women and girls in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia a “human rights catastrophe”. The study, “Hear Her Cries”, published by the charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) last week, said that “at its most extreme”, forced conversions could amount…
Staff reporter Paul Givan, a DUP MLA, has resigned from the Free Presbyterian Church due to a dispute regarding October’s ecumenical centenary service in Armagh, according to reports. It is believed Mr Givan resigned rather than face disciplinary action overseen by church elders, The Irish News reported. The number of DUP MLAs who are full…
Staff, students, Presentation Sisters and former staff members of Presentation Ballingary gathered last week to celebrate their 150th anniversary with an anniversary Mass. Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Kieran O’Reilly concelebrated Mass for Presentation Ballingarry with parish priest and school chaplain Fr Derry Quirke. In his homily, Archbishop O’Reilly paid tribute to “the trials and…
An international Christian legal group has denounced the US State Department’s decision to remove Nigeria from this year’s watchlist of countries with the most egregious violations of religious freedom, in a period where the country is arguably at its most unsafe for Christians. “Persecution against Christians and other religious minorities around the world must end,”…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones