Courtney McGrail
Doctor’s duty to protect every life – PLC
The Pro-Life Campaign (PLC) has criticised remarks made by the new master of the Rotunda hospital concerning abortion in the case of babies diagnosed with life-limiting conditions.
PLC Deputy Chairperson Cora Sherlock said unborn babies with serious medical conditions “are among the most vulnerable members of Irish society”.
“When a member of the medical profession states that certain human beings, in this case babies with a life-limiting condition, do not deserve legal protection, they are making a value judgement about which lives are worthy of protection and which lives as they see it are not.
“That is not the role of any medical professional regardless of how eminent they are. The role of every doctor is to look out for, cherish and protect every human life,” she said.
Bishop urges parishes to read Pope’s peace message
Bishop John McAreavey has urged parishes, families, book-clubs, schools and colleges to read Pope Francis’ message ‘Overcome Indifference and Win Peace’ which he issued for World Day of Peace.
“In the context of this year being the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis emphasises the transformative power of mercy on relationships. As Christians, we are called to reflect the teaching and example of Scripture, reaching out in love and compassion to those who are marginalised or excluded,” Bishop McAreavey said.
“There is something for everyone to reflect on in this message of Pope Francis and I encourage it to be read in parishes by families, by book-clubs, in schools and colleges so that it can inform discussion throughout the year, inspiring us to action for justice and peace in defence of the victims of violence throughout the world.”
Vocations event for Munster metropolitan dioceses
St Patrick’s College in Thurles, Co. Tipperary is hosting a ‘Come and See’ two-day vocations event for those for living in the dioceses of the Munster metropolitan area who are interested in exploring a vocation to religious life. Taking place from Friday, February 5 to Saturday, February 6, the free event will begin with dinner at 6.30pm, followed by some time for prayer and to meet others thinking of the priesthood. Following an overnight stay the events resume with prayer, breakfast, a brief talk on discerning a vocation, preparation for Mass, lunch and discussion before departure at 3pm.
For more information contact the Waterford Diocesan Office on 051-874463 or 087-2465509.
Colossal cost for Belfast church restoration
A well-known Belfast church’s future is in jeopardy and needs a colossal £5 million for restoration work.
Parishioners at St Patrick’s Parish, Belfast, which is in its bicentenary year, are attempting to raise much needed funds to restore the church’s disintegrating stonework.
The present church is an imposing edifice, rendered in sandstone and in the Romanesque style.
According to a statement from the Diocese of Down and Connor, the church’s future is in jeopardy as its facade is worn and crumbling and in need of major repair.
Mark 1916 with commitment to peace– bishops
The centenaries of the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme should be marked by a renewed commitment to peace, Ireland’s bishops have said. This commitment, they said in a statement, should be supported by “a clear analysis of the remaining obstacles to peace, the threats to social cohesion, and the steps we need to take as a society to address them”.
Ireland’s Churches have “a particular responsibility to outline the Christian values that shape our understanding of these transformative events”, they added, and should facilitate the tackling of challenging questions “in a spirit of understanding and compassion”.
CARI criticises closure of 24-hour service
CARI (Children At Risk in Ireland), one of Ireland’s leading therapy providers for those affected by child sexual abuse, has expressed “outrage” at the closure of the State’s only 24-hour treatment service for children and adolescents who have been sexually assaulted.
The Galway-based Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service (CASATS) has played a key role in providing immediate forensic examinations of children who have been sexually assaulted or raped.