One of the world’s best-known actors Brad Pitt [pictured] has said he’s left Atheism behind and “clings to religion”. In a wide-ranging interview published in a US magazine, Mr Pitt (55) spoke of his Christian upbringing and the importance of religion in his life. “I grew up with Christianity. Always questioned it, but it worked…
Two Irish clerics have been asked to take part in the Vatican’s upcoming Synod of Bishops on the Amazon. A Kiltegan Father originally from Monkstown, Co. Dublin, Bishop Derek Byrne of Primavera do Leste-Paranatinga in Brazil will join Fr Peter Hughes, a Galway-born and Columban Father who works for CELAM, the Latin American episcopal conference,…
An overwhelming majority of Americans (83%) said they support conscience protection rights for health care professionals because they should not be forced to perform procedures against their moral beliefs. 91% of faith-based health care professionals said they need conscience protections and would rather stop practicing medicine altogether than be forced to violate their conscience. These…
Irishman and former Archbishop of Pretoria in South Africa William Slattery has said the Irish Church should be more “forceful, more self-confident” in spreading the Good News, as it’s shifted away from “being close to people”. Returning home last month, Archbishop William (Liam) Slattery OFM said the Church is hugely important for community and has…
Family members of an 80-year-old woman in England are advocating for legalised assisted suicide after the woman was found not guilty by a UK court in an apparent “mercy killing” of her husband. Mavis Eccleston, 80, was accused of killing her husband Dennis, 81, with a lethal dose of prescription medicine. Prosecutors claimed that Mavis…
Priesthood is not a job but a gift, Pope says Being a priest is not a job or fulfilling an employment contract but is a gift from God that should be contemplated and treasured as such, Pope Francis has said. Those who turn ordained ministry into an occupation “lose the heart of the ministry, lose…
Owners of a lucrative Cork City site of a former Good Shepherd Sisters convent have taken the property off the market. Devotees of Little Nellie of Holy God, known by many as the unofficial patron saint of Cork who is buried at the sight, have continuously voiced concerns about being able to access the grave.…
Migrants ‘enrich us’ and are ‘not a danger’ – bishop The head of the migration commission for the Bishop Luis Quinteiro emphasised that love of neighbour is essential for Christians, and this includes care for migrants and refugees. “We don’t love God if we don’t love our brothers,” stressed Bishop Luis Quinteiro of Tuy-Vigo in…
Every parish in Ireland is to receive a resource pack for the World Day of Migrants, Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns has said, encouraging parishioners to reach out to migrants and refugees. “Our first thoughts and prayers are with our migrant brothers and sisters who live here among us in Ireland, in our dioceses, our…
The parish priest of Oughterard in Galway has called for calm among a Galway community protesting the potential opening of a direct provision centre in their town. Local protests began last week after concerns that a hotel just outside the town was being converted into a direct provision centre. Fr Michael Connolly PP told The…
Greg Daly
Chai Brady