One of the problems with ‘assisted dying’ – now under parliamentary discussion in both Ireland and Britain – is the very phrase itself. In truth, a proper opportunity for ‘assisted dying’ can be entirely Christian and supportive. I mean in the sense that a dying person should have someone with them, to calm and care,…
Category: Comment & Analysis
Euthanasia is becoming the sole solution to wide-ranging problems in some countries
Assisted suicide, and/or euthanasia, now accounts for one in 20 deaths in the Netherlands. This was just one of the many disturbing pieces of evidence presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on ‘Assisted Dying’. Today it’s expected the committee will make a recommendation to introduce assisted suicide and euthanasia into Irish legislation. We are meant…
We need politicians who say what they mean – and mean what they say
It’s amusing that Govt representatives campaigned for a ‘yes’ and voted ‘no’, but it is corrosive of politics, writes Michael Kelly You don’t hear much from former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte these days. He left active political life in 2016, with a pension pot of some €2 million. Mr Rabbitte – now aged…
Truth is under attack
Truth is no longer just the first casualty of war, it is the target, writes Martina Purdy Three little words, uttered by a politician, echo down the ages: “What is truth?” The question will be posed again at Good Friday services next week, the words of Pontius Pilate – a politician, who gets a…
The Church in light of the referendum results
We might have passed peak anti-Catholicism, writes David Quinn The bishops played little part in the recent referendums. That was probably wise. They did issue a statement in the closing stages which could be picked up at Masses (if the priest thought to mention it). The statement did not advise people how to vote,…
On Ukraine, Pope Francis has a point
Pope’s call for courageous negotiations a red flag to critics, writes Dr Michael Sanfey Remarks by Pope Francis during a recent interview with Swiss TV have sparked outrage. As The Pillar reported, Francis was asked about global conflicts and his hopes for peace. The Pope responded “I believe that the stronger one is the one…
Church’s safeguarding ‘greatly improved’, report shows
Still lack of satisfaction with Church’s response to abuse allegations, writes Ruadhán Jones The quality of the Church in Ireland’s safeguarding structures and culture has “greatly improved” in the last 10 years, according to a report from the national safeguarding body. “A lot of progress has been made, and plans are in place to…
Vatican cardinal hints at possible rethink on two-state solution in Middle East
A top cardinal and leading papal diplomat has said that amid the ongoing war in Gaza, peace in the Holy Land requires a change of mentality in which both sides recognise and respect each other’s right to exist, regardless of whether there is one state or two. “I don’t know if two states are better…
Porn study shows up the liberal lie
There is an effort these days to cleanse pornography of its dirty image, dressing it up as part of a healthy sexual life. But a new study from the Economic and Social Research Institute’s (ESRI) should complicate that picture. It shows that, among 17–20-year-olds in Ireland, consuming pornography is associated with aggression, “risky” sexual behaviours,…
Vatican says women deacons and LGBTQ+, not celibacy, on docket for synod
Organisers of Pope Francis’s ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality have announced that ten different working groups hadvebeen formed in the Roman Curia to address specific topics that came out of last year’s session. These topics, they said, are restricted to issues mentioned inside of the synod hall and include hot-button questions such as…