One of Ireland’s leading Islamic clerics has called for the release of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian who has been tried for blasphemy. “I call for her release and I believe that she should be released. This is the right thing to do according to Islamic teaching,” Shayk Dr Umar Al-Qadri told The Irish Catholic.…
Ireland should keep its constitutional ban on blasphemy for the sake of social cohesion, especially at a time when Ireland’s demographic and religious landscape is changing, a leading priest-sociologist has said. Arguing that blasphemy, if not legally prohibited, “can be a serious source of disintegration in our society”, Mayo-based Jesuit Fr Micheál MacGréil, says that…
West Dublin parishes have described as “shocking” the decision to close the capital’s largest direct provision centre, which could leave as many as 80 people homeless, and have urged the Government to reverse the decision. The 225 residents of Clondalkin Towers were told this month that the centre’s management company Fazyard Ltd., is pulling out…
Dramatic changes to Mass times in Clogher diocese are already starting to pay dividends in terms of worshippers’ experience, diocesan administrator Msgr Joseph McGuinness has said. Noting that the changes, rolled out across the diocese earlier this month in response to declining numbers of clergy have been generally well received, Msgr McGuinness said it is…
There are hopes the Synod of Bishops will give fresh impetus to resource youth ministry and mirror international youth movements, according to Church youth workers. Following a meeting with Archbishop Eamon Martin and Bishop Donal McKeown in the Vatican, 11 youth ministers discussed the progress of the synod on youth. “One of the big things…
A new poll has revealed 93% of people in the North of Ireland believe both the life of the mother and the unborn child are important. The polling, conducted by ComRes, comes as a bankbench bill aimed to introduce abortion legislation in the North was read in the House of Commons this week. Diana Johnson…
A well-known social media influencer has become pro-life after watching a movie which details the gruesome reality of late-term abortions. Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer, which was released this month, is an American drama film about Kermit Gosnell, an abortion doctor who killed at least seven infants born alive during abortion procedures. Speaking about the…
Governmental advisers did not believe Pope Francis had been fully briefed on key hot-button issues ahead of his trip to Ireland, it has been revealed. Documents received by the Sunday Independent have shown that while crafting her brief message to the Pope about the Tuam Mother and Babies home, Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone was advised…
A Christian creation care organisation is setting up Northern Ireland’s first community-owned farm to promote the importance of environmental stewardship. Established last year, Jubilee is a cooperative enterprise to practice and promote care farming, community-supported agriculture as well as conservation education and engagement in a manner which inspires change within local churches and communities to…
Parish communities in Bray have offered their support for a young boy and mother who are facing imminent deportation to China. Parishioners in Co. Wicklow have said that nine-year-old Eric Zhi Ying Xue, who hit news headlines earlier this week, should not be deported to China. Although Eric was born in Ireland he is not…
Greg Daly
Chai Brady