The latest statistics from Northern Ireland relating to hospital-based abortion have revealed that there were 53 terminations carried out in HSC hospitals during the period of 2021/22. This was 10 less than the previous year, but still an increase on the figure from 2019/20. The number only relates to procedures carried out on hospital inpatients…
The President of Ireland has led tributes to eminent sociologist and advocate for the travelling community Fr Mícheál MacGréil SJ after his death aged 92. Paying tribute to him, the President Michael D. Higgins said that Fr MacGréil made a “deep impact on the lives of many people”. “Throughout all of his work, Micheál MacGréil…
Elise Ann Allen In a scene reminiscent of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 cinematic sensation The Godfather, Italy’s most notorious mob boss was arrested January 16 after 30 years on the run, a development celebrated by civil and ecclesial authorities alike. A fugitive for the past 30 years, infamous Italian mobster Matteo Messina Denaro – tied…
At the World Economic Forum, Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska and Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop Borys Gudziak of Philadelphia discussed the physical, psychological and emotional trauma of war, forgiveness, and their dreams for Ukraine’s future. The panel discussion with Archbishop Gudziak was hosted by Ukraine House Davos in collaboration with the January 17 “Ukraine Is You”…
Buddhists visit Vatican to meet with Pope Interreligious dialogue can combat climate change by tapping into the “profound richness” of faith traditions to promote a sense of “ecological responsibility” and conversion, Pope Francis said. Welcoming a delegation of Cambodian Buddhists to the Vatican January 19, the Pope called for “dialogue at all levels” to seek…
Cindy Wooden Pope Francis’ fifth trip to the African continent will highlight gestures of peace and reconciliation, consoling the victims of violence but also emphasising the importance of each person sowing peace in the family, the neighbourhood and the nation. The Pope is scheduled to travel to Kinshasa, Congo, January 31-February 3 before making an…
Dear Editor, It is clear the narrative around the demand for secular or multidenominational schools is completely overstated by the Government, media and lobby groups. This was highlighted by some schools, in areas earmarked for changes in patronage, finding that a huge majority of parents wanted their school to remain under Catholic patronage. It’s important…
Local Matters: Parish, Local Government and Community in Ireland, by Dr Finola Kennedy (Institute of Public Administration, €25.00) Frank Litton The philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre traced his early commitment to Marxism to his experience growing up in London’s East End where his parents worked as doctors. It was the communists’ contributions to the neighbourhood that drew…
Young people told to ‘Open hearts to other cultures’ Pope Francis told young people to always “look to the horizon” and open their hearts to other peoples and cultures. In a video message to the 400,000 participants registered for World Youth Day 2023, the Pope encouraged young people not to “put up walls” that close…
SVP gives thanks for ‘immense’ 250k donations St Vincent de Paul South-West Region thanked the public for the “immense” support shown as over €248,000 was raised from the annual car draw. The SVP have said they are humbled by the generosity of the public during an extremely difficult and challenging period. Regional President Paddy O’Flynn…