Chai Brady reports on how the Government sees its interaction with the Church in the coming years There was discussion and criticism in the Dáil last week as the Taoiseach was asked about Government plans which aim to map out the future of Church-State relations. Echoing what he said during Pope Francis’ visit to…
Staff reporter Faith is the most important part of hockey star Elena Tice’s life, the Irish international and UCD student has said. The 21-year-old, who has won almost 100 caps for Ireland and who last year helped Ireland towards a silver medal in the hockey world cup, has said her Christian faith matters far…
Bishops’ conferences from Francophone West Africa have pledged solidarity with Christian communities after a spate of Islamist attacks and urged governments and religious leaders to do more to counter “unlooked-for menaces, tragedies and catastrophes”. “Terrorist outrages are sowing desolation and disorder, especially in Christian communities – with hearts full of emotion and sadness, we think…
Abortion is never the answer to couples seeking a way to deal with a prenatal diagnosis of serious illness or disability, Pope Francis has said. Addressing participants at a Vatican meeting on medical care for “extremely fragile” babies and on the pastoral care of their parents, Pope Francis said the Catholic Church’s total opposition to…
Abortion pill legal challenge defeated again A pro-life group in Scotland has, for a second time, lost a legal challenge against the government’s decision last year to allow women to self-administer abortion pills at home. “We are greatly saddened by this decision. We have been convinced all along that the policy decision by the Chief…
A priest has said his parishioners will be “delighted” when the US president arrives in Ireland next month. The comments come after the White House confirmed Donald Trump is to visit Ireland on June 5, and is expected to stay at his golf resort in Clare during his stay. Fr Joe Haugh of Doonbeg parish…
Parishioners “must be heard” in any future Church-State talks particularly regarding the future of Catholic schools, two leading Irish theologians have said. The call comes after the Irish bishops confirmed they will be discussing the Taoiseach’s proposed “new covenant” between faith groups and secular society planned for July 4. Despite a commitment to divestment from…
Hundreds of people gathered in Derry this month in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux and to celebrate faith and community. As part of the annual Little Way Novena in St Eugene’s Cathedral, almost 1,000 church-goers attended the Masses, which began with the Anointing of the Sick. The tradition of commemorating St Thérèse – also…
Religious and non-religious people share more than common stereotypes might suggest, according to a major study presented at the Vatican this week. “Our data directly counter common stereotypes about unbelievers,” Dr Jon Lanham of Queen’s University Belfast said of the Understanding Unbelief programme, which mapped the diversity of unbelief across Brazil, China, Denmark, Japan, the…
The Pro Life Campaign has marked the anniversary of abortion legislating being brought into Ireland with a nationwide billboard campaign, launched today. The billboards show an image of a mother and a baby with the words ‘Support pregnant women and new mothers. Let’s find a better way than abortion’. On May 25 it will have…
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick
Greg Daly