Category: News

Vatican Roundup

Covid-19: Vatican Museums, Pontifical Villas close again to public A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office November 4 said the Vatican Museums will be closed to the public from November 5 to December 3, in compliance with the Italian government’s latest anti-Covid regulations. The statement also said that, due to the current health…

Two nuns and a priest receive presidential award

Two nuns and a priest are among the 14 people who are to receive the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2020. Sr Patricia Murray and Fr Kevin O’Hara SMS are being recognised for their work for peace, reconciliation and development in Italy and Nigeria respectively. Sr Louise Horgan is being rewarded…

In brief

US Supreme Court looks for compromise in Catholic foster care case The Supreme Court, now with a full bench, seemed willing to find a compromise during November 4 arguments about a Catholic social service agency shut out from Philadelphia’s foster care program for not accepting same-sex couples as foster parents. In the case, which pits…

Students for Life hit out at Emmerdale storyline

Students for Life Ireland have criticised famed soap Emmerdale’s storyline which “suggests that unborn babies with Down Syndrome should be aborted”, describing the message as both “ableist and unacceptable”. Down Syndrome The spokesperson for the group, Leanne Lynch, said, “We all know someone with Down’s Syndrome, and we all see the joy they bring to…

Court challenge to ban on public Mass

Irish entrepreneur Declan Ganley has begun a constitutional challenge to the ban on attending Mass and other religious ceremonies. Co. Galway-based Mr Ganley, who has been a vocal critic on social media of the ban on Mass, initiated judicial review proceedings against Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the State on Thursday and the matter…