Rory FitzgeraldThere is something heavenly in Leonardo Da Vinci’s work, writes Rory Fitzgerald from London Leonardo da Vinci is currently visiting London. The most extraordinary collection of his works ever assembled in the British Isles is currently on display at London’s National Gallery. This exhibition is entitled ‘Painter at the Court of Milan’ and it…
Category: World Report
A Mormon in the White House?
Religion is moving centre-stage in the US presidential election, writes Kieron Wood The victory of Mormon Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucus last week has once more highlighted the importance of religion in US presidential elections. In the 2012 Iowa caucus of January 3, Romney took only 25 per cent of the vote,…
Letter from Haiti: Rising from the rubble
Two years after Haiti’s earthquake, Trócaire continues its work there, writes Eoghan Rice In the labyrinth of narrow laneways that cut through Villa Rosa, Saul Darbouze leads us to the place he calls home. The path changes from concrete to mud as we enter further into this tangled web of side-streets and alleyways.…
World Report: US religious freedom body faces the axe
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…
Pope Benedict calls for courageous leadership
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…
Letter from Rome: Vatican II treasure hunt
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…
Lighting up lives at Christmas
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…
Democracy rising – Paul Keenan
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…
Bible has shaped the world – British PM Cameron
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…
Manipulating language so we dislike Ricky Santorum
Ricky Santorum is the Republican candidate who came within eight votes of beating Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucus that is the first step in the race to be the Republican’s presidential candidate this year. Santorum is very strongly pro-life and pro-family and for this reason is being thoroughly demonised by his enemies and…