Róise McGagh Northern Ireland’s bishops have said new abortion laws in Northern Ireland are “unjust” and that no one is obliged to cooperate with them. Currently there is a regulatory framework in place in the North that governs abortion provision until more permanent legislation is expected to be introduced in three months. “The new…
Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been sexually abused by a priest and for those who testify in a Church trial or process having to do with clerical sexual abuse. “The person who files the report, the person who alleges to have been harmed and the witnesses shall…
The company tasked with setting up and running the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) in Ireland is to be put into voluntary liquidation after losses of €4.56m last year. The decision is believed to have been made by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and others after various fundraising initiatives across Ireland failed to meet costs. The document…
A new analysis from the Pew Research Centre shows that many Catholic priests are holding to Pope Francis’ advice to keep their homilies on the shorter side, especially compared to Protestant denominations. An analysis of nearly 50,000 sermons, given across a variety of Christian denominations during the months of April and May this year, found…
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said he believes someone with more energy needs to take over the archdiocese, as he is set to send the Pope his letter of resignation on his 75th birthday, in April 2020. During an interview on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show, Archbishop Martin said there are many priests doing great work in…
A gambling consultation launched by the Northern Irish government has been welcomed by charities who say the current law is “not fit for purpose” and is leading to “suffering”. Launched by the Department of Communities (DfC) it runs from December 16, 2019 to February 21, 2020 and consults the public and stakeholders as to the…
The administration of Argentine president Alberto Fernández, who took office last week, has updated the country’s abortion protocol to guarantee access to abortion to women who have been raped. Argentinian law allows abortion in cases when the mother’s life or health is in danger, or in cases of rape. However pro-choice activists maintain that it…
Róise McGagh The Dublin City University chaplain has stated he would like students to have a choice of food on campus after their SU has moved to move beef off the menu. “Personally, I would like to see the option for those who wish to be vegetarian and for those who wish to eat…
A documentary about Irish rosary priest Venerable Patrick Peyton has been awarded ‘best documentary’ at a Christian film festival in the US. Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton won the award at the 2nd Annual God Country Family Christian Film Festival held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Patrick Peyton was born on January 9, 1909 in…
French nuncio steps down amid misconduct allegation Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the nuncio to France, who has been under investigation for sexual misconduct in France and in Canada. Announcing the archbishop’s retirement on December 17, the Vatican provided no reason why he stepped down. A statement released by the…
Chai Brady