The Department of Foreign Affairs response to the independent TD’s question about violence against Christians “reframes the issue out of all recognition”. Ms Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs September 9 what Ireland is doing to address violence against Christians in Nigeria, “where 3,462 Christians have been hacked to death since January 1,…
There’s a “real need for clear thinking” when it comes to Hungary, in order to “avoid the propaganda element that comes into play whenever Orban is discussed,” Senator Rónán Mullen said following the Pope’s meeting with controversial Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Senator Mullen said that there are aspects…
The debate about denying Communion to politicians who support abortion must be handled in a pastoral way, not by public condemnations that seek to “excommunicate” Catholics who are not in line with Church teaching, Pope Francis said. During his return flight from Bratislava, Slovakia, September 15, the Pope said that while there is no question…
The View Lack of time prevents me from doing as many talks as I once did (not to mention a worldwide pandemic.) I am not quite sure why I accepted an invitation to speak at the recent Holycross Abbey Novena but I am so glad I did. I was vaguely aware of Holycross Abbey but…
Catholic youth group Pure in Heart is seeking to give young, single Catholics a place to meet “in a very safe and very friendly environment” with its first-ever conference, according to General Manager Helen Vysotska. The ‘Pursuit of Love’ conference, to take place October 1-3, 2021, is set to offer both theoretical and practical experience,…
The target of halving carbon emissions in less than ten years will be enormously disruptive and expensive, writes David Quinn The Church is currently marking a month-long ‘Season of Creation’. It began on September 1, and ends on October 4. September 1 was the start date because Pope Francis has declared that day each year…
A court in Finland has announced the date of a hearing to determine whether a former government minister should be jailed after tweeting a Bible verse. The Helsinki District Court said that the case involving Päivi Räsänen, a physician and mother of five, will be heard on January 24, 2022. According to ADF International, a…
The Archbishop of Dublin appealed to people to help ensure the social support agency can maintain all services in the coming months. Archbishop Dermot Farrell said Crosscare’s services are needed “now more than ever”, as the diocese held its annual collection for the agency last weekend. “As families face greater uncertainty and insecurity intensified by…
Letter from Rome There’s a famous scene in Woody Allen’s classic 1977 movie Annie Hall in which he and Diane Keaton are having separate sessions with a couples’ counsellor, and their exchanges are shown on a split screen. When the therapist asks how often they’re intimate, Allen says, “Hardly ever, maybe three times a week,”…
Pope Francis thanked God “that Ireland has such a wise man as its Head [of State]”, during the latest encounter between the Pontiff and the president. President Higgins met the Pontiff before meeting Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher. A Vatican statement disclosed that…
Ruadhán Jones
Breda O'Brien
David Quinn
John L. Allen Jr.