Ireland to divest in global fossil fuels
Ireland is on course to be the first country to sell off their investments in fossil fuel companies.
A bill passed by the Dáil on Thursday is expected to also pass the Seanad quickly, possibly being put into law by the end of the year. The law will compel the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) to sell its investments in the global fossil fuel industry.
As of 2017, the investments spanned across 150 different countries and is valued at around €318 million.
According to Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle, the divestment is being made to bring a managed decline to fossil fuels in order to avoid “catastrophic climate change”.
New appointments in Cashel and Emly
New clerical appointments in the Archdiocese Cashel and Emly have been announced, with ten new changes in archdiocese.
Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly announced the diocesan clerical appointments on July 16, which will take effect from Saturday, August 18, 2018.
Notably, Fr Liam Holmes parish priest of Knockaney and Patrickswell will retire, and Msgr Christy O’Dwyer will continue as Vicar General of the Archdiocese.
For more information about the clerical appointments, see: http://www.catholicbishops.ie/.
Turin Shroud may be fake, experts say
A new forensic investigation performed on the Shroud of Turin has concluded that the bloodstains on the shroud are unlikely to have been left by a corpse.
Appearing in the Journal of Forensic Science, the researchers found that the imprint was more likely to have been created by using a standing figure, due to the irregularity of the stains. If the person had been in a particular pose, such as being on a cross, the bloodstains would be in a more consistent shape, researchers say.
These findings add yet another layer to the mystery surround the religious artefact, which has previously been scrutinised using many different scientific techniques.
‘Father of Big Bang’ celebrated
The Belgian Catholic priest and professor of physics, Fr George Lemaître, who made tremendous contributions to the scientific fields of cosmology and astrophysics was honoured by Google Doodle on July 17.
Fr Lemaître is most remember for his contribution of the idea of the origin of the universe called ‘hypothesis of the primeval atom’, which later became known as the Big Bang Theory.
After giving a series of lectures on his theory in 1933, Albert Einstein stood up and said: “This is the most beautiful and satisfactory explanation of creation to which I ever listened.”
He was born in 1894 and died in 1966.
Retailers begin to roll out papal souvenirs
Anticipating the Pope’s visit in August at the World Meeting of Families, papal-themed gifts have begun to be sold across stores.
Religious bookshop Veritas has unveiled a new Pope Francis commemorative bag, as well as mugs emblazoned with the pontiff’s face. Similarly, the discount retailer Dealz released a Vatican-themed bunting and a Pope-themed lollipop, costing €7 and €1.50 respectively.
The products are expected to appear in stores ahead of the World Meeting of Families on August 21.
A spokeswoman for Dealz has said: “The product range is a bit of fun and Dealz is confident that people will find the fun in the product.”
Feast of the Assumption August devotions
The Annual Devotions of the Feast of the Assumption will take place at Lee Road Shrine in Cork on August 15.
The general public should assemble near Our Lady’s Hospital Gate before 6.30pm and will proceed together to the Shrine, reciting the 14 Mysteries of the Rosary along the way. Other groups will arrive in intervals shortly thereafter.
The 15th Mystery will be recited once all have gathered at the Shrine.
Accommodation will be available for those unable to walk in procession. A service of buses will be present to bring people back to the city after devotions are complete.