The beloved Mr Potato Head toy brand is set to become ‘Potato Head’ in a move which sees the brand “reimagined for the modern consumer”. Announced late last week, the company was quick to clarify that both the Mr and Mrs Potato Head characters would still be available to buy. “Hasbro is making sure all…
Category: News
Jesuits urge victims to come forward
The Irish Jesuits this week made public the name of a former teacher and priest who abused boys while he was on the teaching staff of Dublin’s Belvedere College in the 1970s. In a statement, the Irish Province said the decision to name Joseph Marmion SJ “is being taken following engagement with a former pupil…
Malawi ‘hopeful’ as Covid vaccines arrive, says Malawi-based Irish bishop
After overcoming a spike in cases in January, Malawi is “hopeful” of continued improvement as vaccines start to arrive, says Bishop John Ryan of Mzuzu Diocese. Bishop Ryan, a St Patrick’s Missionary, has been bishop in Mzuzu since 2016 and told The Irish Catholic that the situation there “is not as bad as in Europe”.…
Anger over Malaysia’s deportation of Myanmar migrants
The Malaysian Catholic Bishops have decried the deportation of nearly 1,100 Myanmar nationals back to their home country despite a court order banning the move. The country’s High Court on February 23 granted a temporary stay on the planned deportation of 1,200 Myanmar nationals who have been held in immigration detention centres while a proper…
NBA player credits pro-success to his faith
22-year-old Desmond Bane’s recent success in being drafted to the pro-basketball league can be attributed to his faith, according to Mr Bane himself. “It serves as my backbone when things are going great and not going great,” he said. “You always have it to lean on. I wouldn’t be where I am without it,” Mr…
Concern as Indian state passes controversial anti-conversion bill
A law to curb religious conversions done by force and fraudulent means was passed amid protests on February 24 in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2020, will replace an ordinance passed last November. The bill has a provision of imprisonment for up to…
Vatican Roundup
Vatican official insists religious services are ‘essential’ For believers, the ability to practice their faith and receive spiritual guidance are “the highest of essential services”, and pandemic practices over the past year have shown they are not automatically super-spreader events, the Vatican foreign minister said. Speaking February 23 during the high-level segment of the UN…
In Brief
Catholic agencies welcome access to Ethiopia’s Tigray region Catholic relief agencies in Ethiopia welcomed a move by the government to allow more access in Tigray where a military operation displaced millions and left an unspecified number of people dead. Amid increased international calls for unrestricted access, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali announced February 24 that…
Western bishops criticise Govt’s lack of clarity on return to worship
The bishops and archbishop of Tuam have “expressed concern” that public worship may not be available “for months to come” under the Government’s five stage plan
German Catholic bishops call for change to Catechism on homosexuality
A German Catholic bishop has publicly defended his support for a book of blessings and rites for homosexual unions. Bishop Peter Kohlgraf of Mainz also suggested that Catholics with homosexual inclinations cannot all be expected to live chastely and the Church should adopt a pastoral approach that acknowledges this. “Quite a few people who have…



Ruadhán Jones






