There is an effort these days to cleanse pornography of its dirty image, dressing it up as part of a healthy sexual life. But a new study from the Economic and Social Research Institute’s (ESRI) should complicate that picture. It shows that, among 17–20-year-olds in Ireland, consuming pornography is associated with aggression, “risky” sexual behaviours,…
Responding to Leo Varadkar’s announcement that he is to resign as Taoiseach, Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Eilís Mulroy said: “In his resignation speech, Mr Varadkar referenced his pride in having been the Taoiseach who campaigned for the removal of Ireland’s Eighth Amendment, which ushered in the current abortion legislation and has been responsible for Ireland’s…
At their recent Spring Meeting in Maynooth, the Bishops’ Conference highlighted the “exceptional work” being done by parishes, schools and religious communities around the country to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees by extending their hand of friendship but also reminded Government that it must fulfil their commitment to integrate people coming to Ireland. The bishops…
The Irish-language broadcaster TG4 is set to dive into the history, myths and legends associated with Ireland’s holy wells in a six-part documentary series. In Ag Triall ar an Tobar, presenter Manchán Magan will uncover holy wells that have been sites of worship and prayer for centuries and are still visited today for those seeking…
Responding to the latest data from the Survey of Income and Living Conditions, published last week, the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) says while temporary measures delivered by the Government supported household incomes, far too many households are struggling to make ends meet given the scale of the cost of living crisis. “The…
The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) was campaigning for a No vote in the referendum even though the McKenna judgement prohibits state funded bodies from spending state monies. If the NWCI was using ‘non-state’ monies as it has claimed it should publish the amounts raised, and from where and how they were spent, in…
A relic of a young saint-to-be Blessed Carlo Acutis attracted hundreds of young people to gather in St Macartan’s Cathedral in Clogher diocese. Blessed Acutis, who died of leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15, was known for centring his life around the Eucharist and attending Mass and adoration daily. On October 10, 2020,…
All parishes in the Diocese of Kerry are being asked to review their security arrangements amid concerns about break-ins and burglaries in churches and other buildings. Churches in Killarney have been targeted in broad daylight over the last number of months, including the rural Muckross Church near the Killarney National Park with money being taken…
A man has been remanded in custody over the alleged arson of the parochial house in Athy, Co. Kildare, on February 18. James Rowan (45) faces allegations of burglary and criminal damage, which caused hundreds of thousands of euros worth of damage, Naas District Court was told. Garda Ken McDonald alleged the defendant stole cash…
There’s a phrase in sport to describe when a player has thought so much about what he is doing that he can’t do it anymore: analysis paralysis. With the proliferation of coaches, experts, statisticians and the recording technology, the wealth of information and advice can overwhelm even the most talented sportsman or woman. You take…