Courtney McGrailThe Chinese province of Zhejiang, which garnered international attention for its drive against Christian crosses and buildings, has now moved to ban any outward signs of faith in medical facilities. Under new regulations it is forbidden to pray or preach in any hospital, while patients are barred from receiving priests at their bedsides. The main…
Month: August 2016
Film festival showcases life and legacy of Mother Teresa
A four-day film festival dedicated to the life and works of Blessed Mother Teresa is set to take place in India in the days running up to her canonisation in Rome on September 4. Already an annual event that began after the announcement of her beatification in 2003 with a small number of documentary films…
How foreign money is being used to campaign against our abortion law
David Quinn
Our pro-life law is under tremendous domestic and international pressure, writes David Quinn
Looking forward, after 800 years of preaching
Fr Conor McDonough OP Brothers and sisters, just a few weeks ago, I had the joy of being ordained a priest along with seven other men, all of us members of the Dominican Order – eight new priests for the eighth centenary of the order, since it was in 1216 that the Church gave official approval to St…
Bishop’s Vatican appointment welcomed
Staff reporter Pope Francis has appointed the Irish-born Bishop of Dallas, Kevin Farrell, as the head of the new Dicastery for Laity, the Family, and Life. The move sees Bishop Farrell become the most senior US Churchman to serve in the Holy See. Reacting to news of his appointment, Bishop Farrell said: “I look forward to…
Church urged to show young people thinking side of faith
Greg Daly
More work is needed in Ireland’s schools and colleges to raise awareness of what exactly theology is, a leading Biblical scholar has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic following the publication of the first round of CAO offers suggesting that interest in university-level theology has dropped, Fr Brendan McConvery CSsR stressed that dropping points reveal…
For top fashion designer, ‘God is beyond cool’
Paul Keenan
Fashion designer Jerry Lorenzo, whose clothing line is famed among rock stars and public alike despite his lack of formal training, has revealed the secret to his success: God. The LA-based clothing specialist, who, according to Esquire magazine, has cult-like status with fans – including singers Justin Bieber and David Beckham – has opened up…
Bishop Doran calls for review of supports during marriage preparation
The Irish Church needs to “seriously review” the practical, emotional, and spiritual supports it offers to those preparing for marriage, says Elphin’s Bishop Kevin Doran. Addressing pilgrims at Knock basilica during the annual Novena, Dr Doran said that “some couples entering into marriage start at a disadvantage, because they are not adequately prepared.” In this,…
Indian conference in Maynooth draws 270
A youth conference in Maynooth was attended by 270 Catholics of Indian background over the weekend of August 18-21. The iConnect conference was organised by Jesus Youth, an international Catholic lay movement with a special focus on a life centered on Jesus. Initiated in Ireland almost 10 years ago, the movement has a presence throughout…
Killaloe says ‘Be proud of your parish’
The Diocese of Killaloe’s JPIC Committee is calling for people to assist in creating its ‘Be Proud of Your Parish’ project. Aiming to celebrate the natural beauty of Killaloe through a DVD production, the committee is calling for residents to photograph aspects of their parishes which make them ‘proud of their parish’. With the message…