Coronation Street star Kerri Quinn has expressed her pride at having the opportunity to represent the pro-life community in an upcoming BBC drama The Awakening. The drama is set to deal with the relaxation of abortion laws in Northern Ireland, with the Belfast actress playing a pro-life activist. A cause close to her heart, Ms…
A spokeswoman for Denmark’s Catholic Church said draft legislation requiring all sermons and homilies to be translated into Danish will fuel ill-feeling and damage religious freedom. “This law is directed primarily at Muslims – its proponents say they want to prevent parallel societies and things being preached which no one else understands and could be…
Fr Michael Pfleger, a popular Chicago priest and outspoken advocate against gun violence, gangs, poverty and racism, has stepped aside from his ministry after the Chicago Archdiocese said it received an allegation that the priest had sexually abused a minor more than 40 years ago. Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich announced the move in a…
Catholics and Lutherans reaffirm commitment to communion The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation underscored their commitment to walk together on their common journey from conflict to communion. The Council and Federation recently announced the publication of the updated Italian translation of the historic ecumenical document called the Joint Declaration…
Sainthood cause of priest imprisoned by Nazis and communists advances The sainthood cause of a Catholic priest who was imprisoned by both the Nazis and the communists has advanced with the conclusion of the initial diocesan phase of the cause January 4. Fr Adolf Kajpr was a Jesuit priest and journalist who was imprisoned in…
Church leaders and religious orders have apologised for the “long-lasting hurt and emotional distress” survivors and all affected by the Mother and Baby homes have experienced. The Primate of Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, welcomed the report and said in a statement we must continue “reaching out to those whose personal testimonies are central to this…
There is no simple or singular story of the treatment of unmarried mothers in mother and baby homes and county homes. At the outset, I acknowledge that many former residents reject the use of the word ‘home’. The report of the commission investigating the treatment of the mothers and their children in the period from…
A five-year investigation into the treatment of unmarried mothers in State-funded Church-run homes has said that the blame for their “harsh treatment” rests primarily with their families but that both the Church and State condoned this. The report of the ‘Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters’ was published this afternoon (Tuesday) and…
RTÉ’s New Year’s Eve sketch, which depicted God being arrested for sexual assault, did not comply with the broadcaster’s own standards and regulations, RTÉ said today. In a statement, the national broadcaster said its Editorial Standards Board found that the sketch was not in line with a number of their provisions. These included Section 39…
Argentina has legalised abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, despite strong Catholic opposition and polls showing deep divisions on the issue. Decision The Senate approved the bill 38-29 December 30 after a 12-hour debate as supporters with green handkerchiefs and opponents with blue handkerchiefs awaited the decision in the streets during the small…
Ruadhán Jones
Michael Kelly