Moves to produce hate crime legislation have been likened to new “secular blasphemy laws”, which threaten freedom of speech, according to a Tipperary TD. Mattie McGrath spoke to The Irish Catholic after he made comments criticising legislation regarding hate speech in the Dáil last week. During a debate on Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related…
One of Brazil’s most traditional samba schools – the popular associations that organise annual Carnival parades in the country – announced that the theme of its 2020 performance would be the story of Jesus taken to a Rio de Janeiro slum. Estacao Primeira de Mangueira also announced its performance song, which alludes to the increasing…
Three fourths of Facebook readers say they would oppose moves to open up the diaconate to women. While Pope Francis is reportedly considering the idea of allowing women to become permanent deacons only 25% of readers in a poll on the IC Facebook page said they would agree. Permanent male deacons are now a feature…
Catholic bishops from the European Union marked 30 years since the breaching of the Berlin Wall with tributes to those who worked for peaceful change, as well as warnings against resurgent “ideologies behind the building of walls”. “The fall of the Berlin Wall was one of the most important events in European history of the…
Boris Johnson has shown “contempt” for the people of Northern Ireland after pledging to protect British veterans from prosecution, according to a priest based in Fermanagh. Under the proposals the Conservative party would amend the Human Rights Act so that it wouldn’t apply to issues such as killings during the Troubles. This was announced on…
Landlords are “destroying” prospects for young people who are hoping to get married but can barely afford rent, according to the founder of the Capuchin Day Centre. With the World Day of the Poor on Sunday, established by Pope Francis three years ago, Bro. Kevin said the situation for the poor in Ireland “is appalling”…
A bishop in southern India has dismissed allegations of being a womaniser and fathering two children; he says the claims are a retaliatory response from priests opposed to his administrative reforms. Ucanews.org reports that Bishop Kinnikadass William of Mysore told a news conference: “There is no truth in the allegations. A group (of priests) are…
Sightsavers Ireland used a November 7 event in Dublin to introduce their inclusive education programme to corporate and major donors. Speakers including Salimata Bocoum the country director for Senegal and Dr Sinead Kane ambassador for Sightsavers Ireland spoke about the importance of education and inclusion to a full house on the night. Sightsavers launched an inclusive education project in…
Be courageous in ministry, Pope tells bishops Bishops from New England have shared with Pope Francis some of the joys, challenges and sufferings of the Church in the US. Nearing the end of their ad limina visits to the Vatican to pray at the tombs of the apostles and report on the status of their…
Graduates of Theology, Philosophy and Education were urged to spread the Good News and find a “shared vision of lasting peace” in a society struggling with issues and questions regarding human trafficking, direct provision, migration, gangland violence and more. The 230 people that graduated on Saturday from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, were conferred the academic…
Chai Brady