May 20 the Church celebrates Saint Bernardine of Siena, a Franciscan theologian and preacher renowned for his great eloquence, who went to great lengths to revive and strengthen Italy’s faith during the 15th Century. Born in 1380 to a noble family, Bernardine Albizeschi, as with so many of the saints, and as with so many…
It’s common in this day and age to hear the Old Testament decried as mad, bad and barbaric. Many atheists say that it’s an instruction manual for how to be a bad person, rather than how to be a good one. Others say that God seems to have undergone a major personality shift between the…
In light of a changing culture in Ireland, priests have said that engaged couples should be made aware of the fact that the Sacrament of Marriage can take place as its own rite, without requiring the celebration of the Eucharist. This comes following the continued general decline of religious weddings in Ireland, with two in…
Parents of children diagnosed with terminal conditions feel like the first thing that’s being offered to them is abortion, according to a spokesperson for Every Life Counts. Vicky Wall, speaking on behalf of the support network for families whose child is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, confirmed that this can deprive parents of the opportunity…
Overcrowding, the ongoing struggle to rehabilitate prisoners and abundant access to drugs are some of the key issues flagged by Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes following a recent visit to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin. Liaison with the country’s prison chaplains, Bishop Hayes travelled there to support to the work of the prison’s chaplains and expressed…
Clare TD Michael McNamara has said that he sees how Ireland’s proposed hate speech laws “could be open to abuse”. The controversial new laws are currently making their way through the Dáil, and would make it an offence for a person to “prepare or possess” material on their computer that could incite hatred against a…
Created to allow “even more children to see themselves in Barbie,” toy company Mattel has launched its first ever doll with Down’s Syndrome. The toy-giant is partnering with the US’s National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to bring the doll to market. In consultation with the NDSS and medical professionals, Mattel incorporated a number of elements…
May 5 the Church celebrates a man who has indirectly affected the lives of a great many people on our shores, even today: Blessed Edmund Rice, the founder of the Presentation Brothers. As many readers will be aware, the Presentation Brothers are an order dedicated to helping and “forming Christ in the young,” particularly through…
Artists have always made use of the latest technology to produce popular images but recent months have put the Pope at the centre of it, hears Jason Osborne Did you see the images circulating social media of the Pope wearing an elegant, white puffer jacket? Were you surprised to see the Holy Father garbed so…
Our paper’s headline last week, “Euthanasia committee promises fair hearing for concerned voices,” will have come as welcome news to many pro-lifers in Ireland who are tired and disheartened by the cold shoulder we’ve received from Government on the abortion front. Perhaps a few people read it, though, and wondered why there would be concerned…