The board of directors of the Cuban Conference of Men and Women Religious reported last Tuesday that following the July 11 protests of the island’s communist government “there are still detainees awaiting trial, under investigation and others punished with very severe penalties.” The conference has been offering legal advice to detainees and spiritual and psychological…
Vatican: ‘Killer robots’ pose threat to innocent civilians The use of “killer robots” and other lethal autonomous weapons systems violate international treaties because innocent civilians could be erroneously targeted, the Vatican said during a UN meeting in Geneva. The potential of having “swarms of ‘kamikaze’ mini drones” and other advanced weaponry using artificial intelligence raises…
New allegations against David Haas prompt publisher to cut ties with composer A top publisher of hymns will stop publishing works by David Haas after receiving additional allegations of sexual misconduct against the embattled Catholic composer. “We have suspended our publishing and sponsorship relationship with Mr Haas and have also removed his music, books, and…
Two more bishops have decided to join colleagues and forge ahead with First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies this month as Ireland’s bishops remain sharply divided on the issue. Bishop Donal McKeown of the Diocese of Derry and auxiliary Bishop Michael Router in Armagh archdiocese, which both straddle the border, confirmed to The Irish Catholic…
There are many people who want to publicly express the Faith but fear “ridicule” in Ireland, according to the Primate of All-Ireland and the Archbishop of Armagh. Archbishop Eamon Martin was speaking on St Patrick’s Podcast, which operates out of the Saint Patrick Centre in Co. Down. He was asked what he would ban from…
A new study has estimated that 3,462 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in the first 200 days of 2021. This works out as 17 Christian murders every day in Africa’s most populous country. The study was conducted by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), which is based in Onitsha…
Spain’s Catholic bishops warned of growing division and tension in their country over government attempts to “deconstruct and dismantle the Christian worldview”. “We are in a difficult moment, not only because of Covid-19, but because we are convulsed by a deep institutional crisis, with some groups seeking to open a new constitutional phase and replace…
Ireland’s gold medallist rowers Fintan McCarthy, Paul O’Donovan, and bronze medallist Emily Hegarty were welcomed back to Skibbereen “with great pride”, according to Aughadown parish priest, Fr Donal Cahill. Great pride “There’s great pride there for them,” Fr Cahill said of the Olympic champions, continuing, “there was a bit of a homecoming last night for…
5th Catholic bishop consecrated under China agreement A Vatican spokesman confirmed July 28 that the fifth bishop to be created under the 2018 Vatican-China deal has been ordained. Anthony Li Hui was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Pingliang by Pope Francis on January 11, according to spokesman Matteo Bruni. Bruni said that Bishop…
After former cabinet minister Katherine Zappone’s controversial appointment as special envoy for freedom of expression was leaked last week, Senator Ronan Mullen has aired concerns about her suitability. Ms Zappone lost her seat in 2020 after having served as the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and is well known for campaigning in favour of…
Chai Brady