We must strive for the common good of immigrants and citizens alike, writes David Quinn What is the right Christian approach to immigration? There is definitely one approach that is all wrong, which to simply close our borders and never ‘welcome the stranger’, to always say ‘there is no room at the inn’. But after…
Tags: ireland
In Brief
Cork diocese gathers to discuss future The Faithful of Cork and Ross will gather to discuss the diocese’s future reorganisation over Pentecost weekend, with Bishop Fintan Gavin saying closer collaboration between laity and clergy is needed. Bishop Gavin has invited Julian Stanz, a married woman and mother of three, to lead two gatherings where she…
New foetal pain report ‘a significant contribution to the debate’ say PLC
The Pro-Life Campaign have welcomed a new report by the All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group that explores the growing evidence that unborn babies feel pain. The report, ‘Late-Term Abortion and Foetal Pain – Proposing a Humane Response’, examines scientific evidence from around the world that shows unborn babies feel pain before 20 weeks.…
‘Triumphant’ celebrations as stolen heart of Dublin’s Saint returned
Christians poured into Christ Church Cathedral this evening after the Garda revealed today they recovered the heart of Dublin’s patron Saint. Six years after it was stolen, St Laurence O’Toole’s heart entered Dublin’s oldest cathedral once again: undamaged. Very Reverend Dermot Dunne, the Dean of Christ Church, received laughs after asking the congregation to “forgive…
The referendum and personal conscience
As referendum day approaches, Catholics will be told by all and sundry that they should vote according to their consciences. In a Western democratic society like Ireland, which values individual freedom and personal autonomy above all else, there is little difficulty in accepting the central role of ‘conscience’. Hardly anyone disagrees with that, because ultimately…
Where the Eighth Amendment is concerned, we are the legislators
Each of us will soon have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to remove an amendment to the Irish Constitution that defends the right to life of unborn children. There is no point in beating around the bush: a vote to remove this protection from unborn children will be a vote for abortion.…
Government’s proposals: the reality of repeal
The View Although the Government still hasn’t announced the date for the referendum to repeal the rights of children before they are born, we now know what it is they are proposing. No longer can anyone say: “Ireland is different, we have a different culture here; Irish politicians wouldn’t vote for a permissive abortion…
Mother and baby homes: a hidden history
Every society has treated ‘unwanted’ children as a problem, writes David Quinn As with the Magdalene homes, mother and baby homes have developed a strong attachment in the public mind with both Ireland and Catholicism. That is to say, these institutions seem peculiar to Irish Catholicism. This linkage in the public mind is likely…
Thinking – and voting – with the mind of the Church
A Catholic with a properly formed conscience cannot vote for abortion, writes David Quinn Can a Catholic in good conscience vote in favour of abortion? This was the question put to the new Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian, on Morning Ireland last week. Bishop McGuckian was speaking about the bishops’ latest statement on the…
Huge crowds attend pro-life rally as referendum approaches
In one of the biggest pro-life demonstrations ever in Ireland, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the capital to call for a ‘No’ vote in the upcoming abortion referendum. Demonstrators of all ages, from across Ireland, marched from Parnell Square to Merrion Square to advocate for the retention of the Eighth…