An Irish nun in the Holy Land has called on the Irish Government to use its influence to help restart the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. Sligo-born Sr Bridget Tighe told The Irish Catholic that the underlying problem beneath the current flare up is that “There is no peace process anymore” between…
Month: May 2021
‘I hope to live to see my brother a saint’
There are growing calls for a priest who was killed while facing down a “hail of bullets” to anoint a wounded parishioner in Belfast to be recognised as a martyr. Fr Hugh Mullan was one of the ten people shot dead by the British Army during the Ballymurphy Massacre in 1971. Last week an inquest…
Catholic radio host criticises restrictions on maternity care
Spirit Radio host Wendy Grace has hit out at the “unnecessarily cruel” restrictions on maternity care throughout the pandemic. The restrictions include the exclusion of fathers from attending pregnancy appointments and the early stages of labour. Nervous Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mrs Grace said she is seven months pregnant herself with her third baby,…
Religious illiteracy ‘one of the challenges of our times’, says Bishop Noel Treanor
The bishop of Down and Connor’s statement came after a representative from the Holy See warned the EU’s security organisation that ‘hate speech’ laws are often used to “frighten or intimidate Christians”. Intolerance for public, faith-based opinions is “often advanced through accusations of ‘hatred’ or ‘hate speech’, equating religious beliefs to hate and thus depicting…
No date set for return to Mass in Irish prisons, Irish Prison Service says
In-person Masses are yet to take place in prisons across Ireland, despite the Government reintroducing public worship May 10. “A date for the resumption of religious services has not yet been set,” Alan Armstrong, press officer for the Irish Prison services said, following a request from The Irish Catholic. Mr Armstrong said that chaplains continue…
Belfast Jewish community receives ‘very upsetting’ threats of picket
A synagogue in Belfast received “intimidating” phone calls telling them to condemn Israel or face a picket, following increased violence in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Speaking in a personal capacity, Michael Black who is the Chairman of the Belfast Jewish community said some members of the community felt afraid to go…
As Covid-19 spikes, the Church in India strives for ways to help
Catholic officials in India are working to help citizens get help during the second wave of Covid-19 and the accompanying lockdown. “Our priority now is to save as many lives as possible,” Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur of Raipur told ucanews.com. He said with movements restricted, the archdiocese is reaching out to as many people as…
Individuals and communities…
England was merry this past week as bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and art galleries opened up – Church services had been available for weeks. But people were urged to be cautious. The message from the authorities was insistant: “don’t think as an individual: think of how your behaviour may affect others.” Cultural nudge In its…
Return of crowds in NI boost for players and spectators
The absence of supporters at sports matches was “to the detriment of the game” and their return should prove a help to players, a priest who works with Derry City FC said. Up to 500 people can attend sports matches in Northern Ireland from May 24, an announcement from the Executive’s Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey…
No winners as Palestinians and Israelis suffer in latest flare up
The unrest wracking the Holy Land is mired in history, culture, religion and emotion, but the root causes remain unaddressed, writes Jason Osborne An Irish sister on the ground in the Holy Land has described as “desperate” the current conflict between Israel and Islamic militants in Gaza with little sign of a ceasefire on the…