We need to help teenagers to recognise their own value and that of everyone else, writes Alexander O’Hara We are currently experiencing not only an environmental crisis which threatens the future existence of our species, but an anthropological crisis that threatens to reshape and redefine the very nature of what makes us human. With massive…
Category: Comment & Analysis
The false view of ‘gender’ in new SPHE programme
The government has listened to ideological campaigners instead of parents, writes David Quinn The new Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) syllabus for Junior Cycle students aged 12 to 15 in the Republic has been published by Education Minister, Norma Foley, and it is a deeply ideological piece of work that will upset many parents.…
In snub to Russia, Ukraine’s Orthodox Church moves Christmas to December 25
In a decision seen as an act of defiance towards the Russian Orthodox Church, which also has the effect of promoting closer ties with Roman Catholics and other Western branches of Christianity, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has decided to move Christmas to December 25. Traditionally, Ukrainian Christians, the bulk of whom are Orthodox, have…
‘I fell in love with Christ’ to portray Padre Pio, says American star
Gina Christian A film making its US and streaming debut recounts the life of a beloved 20th-century saint – and the movie’s star told OSV News he “fell in love with Christ” to prepare for the part. Actor Shia LaBeouf portrays St Pio of Pietrelcina in the new drama Padre Pio, which premiered at last…
Diocesan priests deserve support and prayers
Fr John Harris OP As you already know we are in the midst of the year for prayer for vocations to the diocesan clergy. Someone asked me lately if I had a problem with this since I am religious priest. I think it is a wonderful idea and absolutely necessary. A vocation to the…
Sexual violence report – why such high statistics?
What are we to make of the appalling report from the Central Statistics Office that a quarter of adult women in Ireland have experienced sexual violence from a partner? “The online acceptance of casual relationships must surely be a risk factor” According to the Sexual Violence Survey 2022, over half of the victims had been…
People should be consulted on migration
In March of last year, emails between senior officials in several Government departments discussing the preparations necessary for a surge in the number of people arriving in Ireland who would need accommodation, were released under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act. The expected newcomers under discussion in that instance were Ukrainian people displaced by the war,…
Calling God to guide us home…
Notebook Recently I spoke at the novena in the Parish of Graiguecullen/Killeshin and it was an honour to be asked. I realise now that I spoke for about twice as long as I was intended to speak! I might not be there again! I should have left out a few bits but, as the song…
Families can have children…and pets, Holy Father!
When the Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni met Pope Francis, commentators expected a clash of views. Ms Meloni’s right-wing party is strongly committed to halting excessive immigration to Italy, while the Pope has always emphasised the Gospel directive to welcome the stranger. And since his parents were immigrants to Argentina, perhaps he also identifies with…
Will the Rural Independents answer Ireland’s call?
There is now a deep hunger for a political party which truly represents ordinary Irish people. The Rural Independents are about to embrace urban Ireland and launch a new national political party with that very aim in mind. It could yet prove remarkably popular. After all, voters who hold to Ireland’s traditional values and way…