Month: May 2017

The next big thing in our lives – ectogenesis

“Awareness of technological innovation and change can make us alert to cultural and social change”, writes Mary Kenny It is well known that the greatest political changes often occur through ‘events’, rather than through the carefully-laid plans and projects of politicians. And perhaps the biggest changes to our social and cultural lives often occur through…

The DIT student volunteering committee has presented Sr Stan Kennedy with its inaugural ‘Social Justice Hero’ award, in recognition of her work supporting Ireland’s most vulnerable, at the launch of a new website Studentvolunteer.ie/DIT: Ciarán Freeman (Student Volunteering Chairperson), Sr Stan Kennedy with her Social Justice Hero award and Emmet Jordan-Kelly (DIT Student Volunteering Development…

Curial training event was ‘excellent’ – Marie Collins

Staff Reporter Marie Collins’ first training event for Vatican officials since her resignation from Pope Francis’ child protection commission was “encouraging” and “very positive”, the leading advocate has said. Mrs Collins announced her resignation in February from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, citing frustration with obstructive curial officials. Despite this, she joined…

Uniform plans ‘micro-management’

Government demands that schools reduce uniform costs to ease parents’ financial pressures have been criticised as reactive and unacceptable micro-management by the president of the body which represents faith-based schools in Ireland. Speaking at the AMCSS/JMB annual general meeting in Killarney, Fr Paul Connell said the planned changes would do “little or nothing to reduce…

First major move to tackle vocations crisis announced

Church leaders will this month open a new national office dedicated exclusively to promoting vocations to priesthood as the shortage of priests continues to bite and some dioceses are no longer able to staff parishes. Bishop Phonsie Cullinan admitted that the Irish Church is playing ‘catch up’, telling The Irish Catholic that Ireland is “behind…