Struggling schools are turning to their local parish priest to help pay their energy bills, despite hikes in the capitation grant, said TD Michael Collins. Mr Collins criticised Minister for Education Norma Foley’s claim that there was “no reason” for schools to ask for voluntary contributions this year following the rise in capitation grants. “It…
Governments and sporting organisations must ensure equal participation and access to sport for all children, not just the able bodied, Gerard Gallagher hears Recently an international summit on sport was held in the Vatican under the theme ‘Sport for All’, September 29-30. Pope Francis addressed the attendees and spoke of “promoting the notion of sport…
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega blasted Catholic leaders as a “gang of murderers,” in comments amping up persecution of the Church and scorning Pope Francis’ call for dialogue in the Central American country. In a fiery address, Ortega took aim at Nicaragua’s Catholic bishops for promoting democracy as an exit from the country’s political crisis, alleging…
Pope Francis has appointed Teresa Devlin, CEO of the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, as a new member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland Eamon Martin welcomed Ms Devlin’s appointment, saying that the Pope appoints those “who…
The head of the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia said the FBI’s arrest of a prominent Catholic pro-life activist known for his sidewalk counselling outside a Philadelphia abortion facility is “a horrendous stunt to intimidate pro-lifers”. Mark Houck, 48, was arrested at his home in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the morning of September 23 for…
Carol Glatz Pope Francis reconfirmed the leadership of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and expanded its membership from 17 to 20 people, naming 10 new members and reappointing 10 returning members. US Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, president of the commission, said, “Coming from all over the world with varied backgrounds and…
Price for corgis rockets in UK after queen’s death Prices for corgis, the dogs beloved by Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth, have soared to new highs since her funeral last week, AFP reported the UK’s largest pet marketplace as saying Pets4Homes told AFP it was currently experiencing “over ten times the volume of daily searches for…
Dear Editor, I must say I was grieved to see Peter Costello’s unfavourable review of The Saint Mary’s Book of Christian Verse, which I chose and introduced. Having enjoyed Mr Costello’s amusing biography of James Joyce’s father and knowing that he writes well of poetry himself, I would have liked to have had my book…
Multiple challenges determine Catholic agencies’ response in Africa A humanitarian official who works in Southern Africa said Churches must offer a unified regional response to the problems crippling development in the region. Mwila Mulumbi, the Zambian country representative of CAFOD, spoke to the assembly of the Interregional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, IMBISA, in…
Editor says renewal of Vatican agreement with China on the horizon As the October deadline approaches for the extension of the Vatican’s agreement with the Chinese government, the newly appointed editor of the news agency of the Dicastery for Evangelisation said the deal has been instrumental in allowing Catholics to practice their faith openly and…