EXCLUSIVE The divestment of Catholic schools in the Republic must stop until the Government gives a guarantee that the State will not attempt to undermine the Catholic identity of remaining schools, leading education experts have warned. The “clock is ticking” for Catholic education because, as divestment – handing some schools over to State control –…
Month: February 2023
Tributes paid to bishop shot dead in US
Tributes have poured in for the Irish-born Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles David O’Connell who was shot dead in his home. The 69-year-old Cork native was a well-known community peacemaker who spent decades ministering in areas afflicted by poverty and gang violence. Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin said the “tragic death” has sent…
Irish missionary in Pakistan decries extremism behind attacks
An Irish Columban missionary in Pakistan has criticised the “religious extremism” behind violent attacks in the country following a deadly terror attack at the end of January. A bomb detonated January 30 inside a mosque in Peshawar in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed 101 and left hundreds more wounded. The mosque is located inside a…
Pope reaffirms Vatican’s authority over Latin Mass
Traditionalist communities in Ireland are facing further uncertainty after the Vatican Press Office published a rescript confirming that dispensations from the July 16, 2021, motu proprio Traditionis Custodes are reserved to the Apostolic See. The document, published in Italian and signed by Cardinal Arthur Roche, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments,…
Conversion therapy report ‘bogus’ says Prof. Patricia Casey
A recent report on conversion therapy is a “bogus” attempt to interfere with doctors’ discussions with their patients, a prominent psychiatrist has warned. The report, conducted by the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, explores “conversion therapy practices” in Ireland as the Government mulls introducing a law banning the practice. The report includes…
Millions face starvation in Somalia warns Trócaire
Millions of people face the prospect of starving to death, Trócaire warned as it launched its 50th Lenten campaign. Repeated failed rains have led to nearly eight million people – almost half of Somalia’s population – struggling to find food, the charity said in a February 21 statement. “Millions of people are facing the prospect…
382 homeless deaths in Dublin in five years
Staff Reporter Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has described as “incredibly tragic” figures which reveal that 382 people experiencing homelessness have died in the last five years. “Behind each one of these statistics is a human being, and perhaps a family. “There can be no doubt now that the issue of homelessness is not just a humanitarian…
Politicians are losing the confidence of many decent people on immigration
As we mark the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the issue of immigration has spilled over onto the streets of our country, amid acrimonious protests and counter-protests. Yet most Irish media outlets still refuse to discuss the issue in a balanced and reasonable way. Ireland has a remarkable and positive story to tell…
What the Church teaches about evangelisation
Evangelisation is nothing more or less than sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others, writes Lorene Hanley Duquin A friend, who has been away from the Church for years, starts to reminisce about growing up Catholic. A co-worker tells you that she was baptised Catholic but never received any other sacraments. A neighbour begins…
Irish-born bishop shot dead in LA
Irish-born Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles David O’Connell, was shot and killed on February 18 in his Hacienda Heights home, a neighbourhood east of LA. His death is being investigated as a homicide, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles early February 19. Bishop David worked tirelessly for peace…