Bishop Edward Burns of Dallas questioned an affidavit and a dramatic raid by local police who descended on Church property in the Texas diocese wearing “ski masks and SWAT gear” in mid-May saying they were looking for documents related to abuse investigations. The Diocese of Dallas has fully cooperated with police and has been transparent…
Category: News
Argentinian doctor convicted of refusing to perform abortion
Dr Leandro Rodríguez Lastra, an OB-GYN in Argentina, was found guilty on Monday of having prevented an abortion, after he decided to save the life of an unborn baby whose mother had taken an abortion pill. After three days of arguments in the Rio Negro Court in Argentina, Judge Álvaro Meynet found Rodríguez guilty of…
‘Do not legalise cannabis’
Anti-drugs campaigner warns of the imminent danger and says that hash ‘makes people paranoid’ “Cannabis is the most dangerous drug of all” and should not be legalised, according to Sr Consilio, the founder of Cuan Mhuire, which has treated thousands of substances abusers over the past 52 years. She has seen the effects of…
Knock Marriage Introductions has served its time says director
Colm Fitzpatrick and Susan Gately Knock Marriage Introductions was a service of its time, and “has served its time”, according to director Fr Stephen Farragher. The priest from the Tuam archdiocese who took over as director two years ago announced the closure of the service which brought about 960 weddings in its 51-year history. Speaking to The…
Stressed homeless family praises parishioners in Clonmel for strong response
After a call for help by a priest, a homeless family in Tipperary have praised parishioners for the “great support” and offers of accommodation they have received. Fr Michael Toomey of Clonmel issued the plea at Mass over the weekend and received the first offer of a possible house within the hour. The priest stated…
State must do more to support marriage
People must consider the implications of the divorce referendum which seeks to speed up the dissolution of marriage, according to the Catholic bishops. “Marriage is essential and fundamental for the good of society worldwide,” said Bishop Denis Nulty, chair of the Council for Marriage & Family. “The objective of the proposed referendum is not to…
Facebook rowback on declaring image of foetus ‘graphic’
Facebook has admitted making a “mistake” when it applied a “ridiculous” warning screen over an image of a foetus in the womb at 11-weeks. The computer-generated image of the baby beside the words ‘Still one of us’ was being used as part of an Iona Institute online and billboard campaign. It was initially restricted by…
Be spiritual fathers to your priests, Pope tells bishops
Pope Francis has said that each bishop has a duty to have a strong, close relationship with his priests with a firm warning that episcopal aloofness and favouritism weakens the mission of the Church. “The relationship between us bishops and our priests is, unquestionably, one of the most vital issues in the life of the…
Don’t rush couples into abortion after first diagnosis
Pro-life campaigners have said families should not be “rushed into” having an abortion after an initial diagnosis of a severe abnormality. This comes after it was revealed last week that a couple aborted a baby that was misdiagnosed in the National Maternity Hospital. The couple said they were told by hospital staff that there was…
Burkina Faso victims ‘martyrs for the faith’
Catholic leaders in Burkina Faso appealed for unity and solidarity after two attacks on Catholics in two days left 10 laypeople and a priest dead. “We have been working together for years – Muslims, Protestants, Catholics and followers of traditional religions, always walking hand in hand,” said Archbishop Seraphin Rouamba of Koupela. “In view of…


Susan Gately

Chai Brady




