Ukrainian chaplains meet in Poland to ask how to help war wounded
Chaplains to the Ukrainian Catholic community throughout western Europe have met in Poland to address the biggest concerns facing the Ukrainian population in their care. Foremost among these are the ongoing physical, emotional and spiritual effects on those who’ve been displaced by the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to Fr Vasyl Kornitsky, chaplain to the […]
Danish ethics council warns Ireland against legalising euthanasia
Ruadhán Jones and Brandon Scott The Danish National Council on Ethics has warned the Oireachtas Committee examining assisted suicide against legalising euthanasia. The council roundly rejected such legislation in Denmark, voting last year by a majority of 16 to 1 not to recommend its introduction. Speaking to the committee on Tuesday, January 30, council representatives told […]
Viral video blasts Ireland’s proposed hate speech bill
A challenge to the proposed Irish ‘hate speech’ law has come from a host of influential voices from across the world in a viral video that has been viewed millions of times. The video, published by faith-based legal advocacy firm ADF International, features contributions from a number of influential commentators including CEO of the satirical […]
No ‘right to erase’ baptism records for Church defectors – DPC
Those who leave the Church have “no right to obtain erasure” of their Baptism records, the Data Protection Commission has ruled in a case of major significance across Europe. At a time when churches are facing legal challenges under GDPR to erase the Baptism records of people who ‘defect’ – technical language for those who […]
‘Fresh start’ Stormont must urgently tackle NI issues says Primate
Exclusive It is time for elected politicians who know the North’s “pressing problems” to govern, particularly after being led by London, the Primate of All Ireland has insisted. The restoring of power-sharing institutions in the North offers “an opportunity for a fresh start and a new beginning”, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh told The Irish […]
World is on the brink of the abyss – Pope
Speaking this week of the many conflicts in the world Pope Francis has called for all parties to “immediately stop the bombs and missiles and end hostile attitudes. Everywhere.” The Pope called for a “global ceasefire,” because “we are on the brink of the abyss.” Since the war between Israel and Hamas began there have […]
Report: ‘Nones’ now largest religious category in US
Religiously unaffiliated people, often referred to as “nones,” now make up the largest religious category in the US, according to a new report by the Pew Research Centre. Pew’s new report, released January 24, shows that nones now account for 28% of the total US population, outstripping the next largest group, Catholics, who make up 20%. […]
Charity calls on local authorities to ensure families get housed
Focus Ireland have warned that despite the number of people in homelessness dropping in December, there was a 14% increase in homelessness over the last year. Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said: “The fall in homelessness in December is very welcome and we hope this trend continues. However, it would be remiss of us not […]
Pope Francis expresses closeness after church attack in Istanbul
Pope Francis has expressed his closeness to the small Catholic community in Turkey after gunmen attacked a church during Sunday morning Mass January 28, leaving at least one worshipper dead. The shooting occurred just before noon at the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul, and was reportedly carried out by two masked […]
Women don’t want to be forced away from their babies to put bread on the table
Last week, RTÉ published a video explaining the forthcoming March 8 referendum. It began with black and white imagery of women engaged in menial housekeeping tasks, while the female narrator stated: “Can you imagine a time when Irish family meant a woman having to give up her job to stay at home and mind the… […]