Bishops in Sri Lanka have condemned a government move to allow abortion in some circumstances. Cabinet has approved presentation of a bill to parliament to legalise abortion when a pregnancy is due to rape or if a foetus is diagnosed with a “lethal” congenital malformation. The Sri Lankan bishops’ conference stressed that the Church believes…
Laugh at yourself, don’t be vain Pope tells youth Pope Francis told youth to steer clear of modern society’s narcissistic tendencies, which he referred to as a vain “illness”. The Pontiff spoke off-the-cuff to Spanish members of the Catholic Shalom Community during an audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall this week. He said they…
Youths from the Shalom Catholic Community pray during an audience with Pope Francis in the Pope Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. Photo: CNS
As Archbishop of Westminster for nearly a decade, 2000 until 2009, Cormac Murphy-O’Connor began his term of office embroiled in a major scandal over an abuser priest, but rode through it to become a much-loved public figure in Britain, known for his soft Irish lilt, jovial good humour, and deep compassion. He was well known…
Almost 100 women who access an Irish charity’s services are victims of sex trafficking, according to a new report. Ruhama has helped vulnerable women involved in prostitution in Ireland for over 25 years, and its 2016 Annual Report shows they assisted 304 women of 37 nationalities. The charity was founded as a joint initiative of…
The latest effort to answer Pope Francis’ call for the Church to “seek people out”, has been hailed a success following a huge crowd at the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin’s ‘Picnic in Punchestown’. In what is believed to be the first Irish diocesan picnic, over 4,000 people attended Punchestown racecourse on Sunday, including a…
UTV presenter Paul Clark has taken to social media to reject claims that children with Down Syndrome lead unhappy lives. The remark comes after a Twitter user said: “It’s unfathomable how anyone would want to put a soul through life suffering with Down’s. Religious driven madness.” The television presenter, who has a deep Christian faith…
The African Chaplaincy in Dublin, which provides support for African communities in Ireland, will be celebrating their 10-year anniversary this weekend. The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin will be the chief celebrant at a Mass where he will be joined by over five hundred members of the African congregation and several other members of…
Instances of anti-Semitism in Ireland are often linked to political beliefs relating to the Israel/Palestine conflict, according to the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland (JRCI). This has led to young people hiding their Judaism, and causes Jewish students not to engage in discussions about the conflict according to Maurice Cohen, chairperson of the JRCI. “I…
Ireland can expect to see more flooding on the devastating scale experienced in Donegal last week as a result of the effects of climate change, according to a well-known ecologist. Fr Sean McDonagh SSC told The Irish Catholic that while the flooding in Donegal, which has displaced 47 families following severe rainfall, can’t be said…
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