An RTÉ Investigates programme on Ireland’s abortion laws made a “total mockery” of public service broadcasting and has left many pro life supporters angry, says the Pro Life Campaign (PLC). The Pro Life Campaign called for a special Oireachtas committee to examine RTÉ’s editorial bias following the “highly partisan” documentary that aired on Monday night.…
Western dioceses warn that a lack of resources is hindering synodal outreach
A lack of resources is “hindering” synodal outreach to young people, those on the margins and others, a new submission from two Western dioceses has warned. While there is a general desire to be a more welcoming Church, in a new synodal submission, the dioceses of Clonfert and Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora have said a…
Down and Connor welcomes Bishop McGuckian
Alan McGuckian SJ was installed as the new bishop of Down and Connor diocese in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, on April 14. The former bishop of Raphoe was welcomed to the North’s most populous diocese by a full house at the cathedral. Bishop McGuckian took the opportunity to call on the North’s assembly to be…
Donegal priest appointed to Papal Basilica
Donegal priest Msgr Eamonn McLaughlin has been appointed as Canon for the Chapter of the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major by Pope Francis. Pope Francis often visits the Basilica, coming to venerate the icon Salus Populi Romani before and after trips away from the Vatican. This new announcement comes under a month since the…
Carthusian nuns as lovers of Christ
Vocations supplement 2024 Take a risk for Christ If you have ever drunk the colourful French liqueur Chartreuse, you already have a connection to the life of the Carthusians. The order’s name and also the liqueur derive from the Chartreuse Mountains in France, where their first charterhouse – the technical name for a Carthusian monastery…
Dublin diocese gets second auxiliary in shock announcement
Dublin diocese is set to get a second auxiliary bishop, after Pope Francis announced Bishop Paul Dempsey will move from his position in Achonry as part of seismic changes in the Church in Ireland. Bishop Dempsey takes on the role of auxiliary alongside Bishop-elect Donal Roche, whose appointment was only announced last month.
Papal Nuncio: Ireland’s Western dioceses must ‘pool resources’ to increase vitality
As four dioceses in the West merge, the Papal Nuncio to Ireland said the seismic changes were needed to meet “new challenges” facing the Church, “pooling resources” to increase vitality.
Sad scenes at Derry parade show children ‘groomed’ for violence – peace priest
The scenes of young people carrying petrol bombs during a parade in Derry on Easter Monday were “sad and shocking”, highlighting how the young are “groomed” for violence, a prominent peace priest has warned. Police said they saw evidence of youths preparing petrol bombs before an illegal dissident republican parade in Creggan, Co. Derry, on…
African witchcraft used to enslave people in Ireland, expert warns
African witchcraft is being used to “manipulate and control” women and men who are trafficked for Ireland, an expert told a webinar hosted by religious orders. Juju, a belief system deeply rooted in parts of Africa, is used to facilitate the “terrible crime” of human trafficking to Ireland, according to David Lohan an expert in…
Juju ‘weaponised’ to enslave women in Ireland
African witchcraft is being used to traffic women, girls and men, hears Ruadhán Jones It may seem far-fetched in our rationalistic age to think that Juju, a form of African witchcraft, is being used to trap women, girls and some men in modern slavery in Ireland. But a webinar hosted by Irish religious orders…