Focus on synodality not doctrine change – Cardinal Grech

Churches should focus on synodality and not issues that require changes in doctrine as the three-week October synod is not enough time for “in depth theological reflection”. Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops told The Irish Catholic communication was “not at its best” regarding the synod, during his visit to Ireland, […]

Biden in trouble with Catholic voters – Pew research

Incumbent US President Joe Biden, a Catholic, is battling a high unfavorability rating among his fellow Catholics, according to survey data released by the Pew Research Center. According to the data, neither Biden nor his Republican rival, former president Donald Trump, are viewed favourably by a majority of Catholics surveyed, but Biden is the more […]

UN Security Council risks ‘doom loop’

Reform isn’t enough to improve the UN Security Council, writes Michael Sanfey Earlier this month the British Foreign Secretary and his French counterpart co- authored an op-ed celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, a diplomatic agreement between the United Kingdom and France. “We have helped to forge a better world,” they wrote in… […]

Scotland pauses sex-change and puberty-blocker drugs for children

Scotland’s only gender clinic for minors is formally pausing the prescription of puberty blockers and hormone medications that are designed to facilitate gender transitions for children after a review commissioned by the English government questioned the efficacy of those practices. This announcement effectively ends the practice of providing sex-change drugs and hormone medications to children in Scotland […]

Facebook’s Catholic problem

The tech giant has a surprisingly long history of suppressing Catholic speech, writes Ian Dunn Facebook may not be the trendiest platform, but it remains incredibly popular. Every month, more than 3 billion people log in. The company’s grand mission statement is “to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer […]

Mural of Irish WWII hero priest vandalised in Kerry

A mural in honour of an Irish priest who saved thousands of Jewish people during World War II has been vandalised with Hitler references in Tralee. Kerry artist May Leen who painted the mural of Msgr Hugh O’Flaherty in 2015 said the priest’s family “don’t deserve to see this”. “To see this war hero, and […]

Archbishop Farrell: ‘Endurance and tenacity’ of Stardust families has secured justice

Speaking in the Church of St Joseph the Artisan in Bonnybrook, Dublin on Sunday, Archbishop of Dublin Dr Dermot Farrell commended the families of the deceased victims of the Stardust nightclub tragedy for their “endurance and tenacity” in their unrelenting pursuit of the truth, even though, according to him, they were “systematically and stubbornly denied […]

Human trafficking becoming ‘more prevalent’ in Ireland

Homelessness charities believe human trafficking is becoming “more prevalent” and they are coming in contact with more victims, according to a new report from Christian NGO Depaul. Depaul published An Overview of Homelessness and Human Trafficking in Dublin in conjunction with UK-based charity The Passage on Monday. The report found most homelessness charities believe they […]

What to say when the visitors come knocking

Senator Rónán Mullen   It’s a big year, electorally speaking. We’ve already had two referendums that proved revealing. We’ll have the local and European elections on June 7. And Taoiseach Simon Harris may yet go to the country this October – if this Government’s last budget is, as expected, of the giveaway variety, then Harris… […]

The answer to loneliness, addiction and despair should not be death

Questions are asked openly about the future of the Church. It is said that it is in terminal decline.They have said this for centuries. Yet still it continues to grow. It was most unlikely, given the might of the Roman empire and the power relationships existing in the Holy Land at the time of Christ,… […]