More than 600 people attended the annual Ceiliúradh Cois Life dinner last weekend in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. The proceeds from the fundraising event, organised by the Pro Life Campaign, funds programmes for young people in the pro-life movement, like the Future Leaders Programme and Students for Life, as well as projects that assist pregnant and new…
Month: September 2024
Lebanese cardinal decries attacks he calls ‘devoid of humanity’
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Rai expressed “profound sorrow” over the “devastating toll” of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, the country’s state news agency NNA reported September 22. In his Sunday homily September 22, he said the “unprecedented” attacks are “devoid of humanity”. NNA reported that Israeli aircraft carried out a total of 111 airstrikes on southern…
Fourth week of St Bernadette’s relics tour
Today in the presence of the relics of St Bernadette let us pray for a portion of her faith, her self-effacing good humour, her humility that somehow never faltered, and that unfailing patience and perseverance with people who misjudged her,” said Bishop Coll of Ossory during his homily for the reception of the relics of…
Manners and morals – Not law – should address hate…
It’s certainly a welcome development that Justice Minister Helen McEntee is to drop her proposed “hate speech” legislation. It would have led to all kinds of prying actions by the State into our private lives and opinions. It would have been a harness on freedom of speech, and perhaps ideas. And since Catholic values are…
God has a plan for Ireland
I believe the faith in Ireland is not dead. It’s like a bird in hibernation, waiting to awaken, says Anto Crossey It was November 2019, when Robert Nugent called 500 men to Derry. Like many others, I simply responded to the call, showing up that day without fully realising what lay ahead. The gathering was…
Surrogacy’s flaws continue to be buried
Surrogacy in Ireland was legalised in June with virtually no critical media scrutiny. Even when the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s (IHREC) Third Annual Report on Human Trafficking strongly criticised part of the legislation, serious and concerning issues remain quietly buried. IHREC Commissioner, Ms Noeline Blackwell, explained on a recent Morning Ireland programme that the…
The sacred bond between Hungary and Ireland
Ireland has welcomed the gifting of a painted replica of the sacred Weeping Virgin Mother of Győr, presented by His Excellency Bishop András Veres of Győr, Hungary, on a recent visit to the island. This gesture reaffirms the deep historical and spiritual bond between the Dioceses of Galway, Clonfert, and Győr – a connection that…
St Januarius’ blood liquefies in Naples on his feast day
The blood of St Januarius liquefied on last Thursday before a Mass in Naples, Italy, where the archbishop said that the blood of the fourth-century martyr is a powerful reminder that “love is stronger than death”. Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples held up an ampoule containing the relic of the saint’s blood in the Naples…
Columban Sisters’ centenary celebrated this month
This month the Missionary Sisters of St Columban, also known as the Columban Sisters are celebrating one hundred years since their foundation. The milestone anniversary will be celebrated with Mass at Wicklow Parish on September 29 at 3pm and a reception afterwards. The Sisters’ history started in 1917 when Fr John Blowick talked about the…
Professor accuses Catholic university in Belgium of ‘covering up’ papal visit
A professor at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium has claimed the university is intentionally downplaying a looming visit by Pope Francis, driven by anger over sexual abuse scandals as well as “shame” about Catholic identity and a “business and marketing logic” which views being identified with the institutional Church as potentially detrimental to…