The future of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom is to be decided on December 16. The body, a federally funded commission which advocates for religious freedom and monitors religious abuses globally has been targeted as America attempts to reduce its trillion dollar deficit. When the commission’s funding came due for re-approval in late…
Michael Kelly meets Dr Patrick McDevitt, the passionate new president of Dubin’s All Hallows College Dublin’s All Hallows College will next year celebrate 170 years of existence. Nestled in the city’s Drumcondra suburb the college has undergone a considerable transformation since its establishment in 1842 as a seminary to train young Irishmen for the priesthood.…
The Pope has called on world leaders to be courageous and ethical in their responsibilities to their people. Speaking during his November 18-20 visit to the African nation of Benin, the Pontiff urged leaders: ‘Do not deprive your peoples of hope! Do not cut them off from their future by mutilating their present! ‘Adopt a…
A new committee is seeking memories of the famed council, writes Cindy Wooden With a view toward the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, a pontifical committee has launched a worldwide treasure hunt. Many of the more than 2,800 cardinals and bishops who participated in all or part of the 1962-65…
Chernobyl Children International (CCI) launched its annual Christmas gift campaign last week, appealing for support from the Irish public to help light up the lives of children in need. The CCI is the leading United Nations NGO accredited organisation working in Belarus, Ukraine and Western Russia. The organisation has raised over €90m in aid…
The former Israeli ambassador to Egypt offers his perspective on Egypt’s elections to Paul Keenan The earliest election results for Egypt came through last week as The Irish Catholic met with Israel’s former (2005-2010) ambassador to Cairo, Shalom Cohen. Inevitably, the scheduled interview turned towards that subject, and the past, present and future of the…
Of allegations and revelations As the fallout from the dreadful RTÉ defamation of Fr Kevin Reynolds continues, senior politicians from the Taoiseach down have been lining up to express their shock and dismay at both the libel and the State broadcaster’s haphazard and somewhat grudging reaction. One politician, however, who has been noticeably silent is…
It’s great to be here and to have this opportunity to come together today to mark the end of this very special 400th anniversary year for the King James Bible. I know there are some who will question why I am giving this speech. And if they happen to know that I’m setting out my…
Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has used his World Day of Peace message to appeal for a “mature” debate about the role of faith in society and warned against crude caricatures of religion. He also said that society must acknowledge that despite the scandals, the Church’s overall contribution to Ireland has been positive. Speaking at Mass…
While many egregious past failings are highlighted the audits reveal real and substantial progress, writes David Quinn Awaiting the release last week of the audits of child protection practice in six dioceses, the big question was whether they would reveal failings on the scale of Cloyne diocese. That is, would they reveal failings that put…