Ireland
The truth about St. Patrick’s Day
By James Farrelly — March 15, 2019
(The Conversation) — Though he's become synonymous with parades and drinking, the Irish revere the fervor of their patron saint's words and feel a debt of gratitude for his unselfish commitment to their spiritual well-being.
Nun in South Sudan honored for protecting education for girls
By Fredrick Nzwili — March 8, 2019
(RNS) — Sister Orla Treacy received a Women of Courage Award from the U.S. State Department for her efforts to educate girls in a war-torn country that values brides over female scholars.
Blasphemy law is repealed in Ireland but remains a problem for Christian and Muslims
By Steve Pinkerton — November 8, 2018
(The Conversation) — In an increasingly pluralist, multicultural West, blasphemy laws find fresh purpose in policing intolerance between religious communities.
Doubts about Viganò’s accusations aside, Pope Francis needs a better response
By Thomas Reese — August 28, 2018
(RNS) — No proponent of transparency while U.S. nuncio, Archbishop Vigano now paints himself a born-again defender of the abused. The Vatican's only credible response is to say what it knew and when.
Pope Francis closes Ireland visit with appeals to divided Catholics
By Christine A. Scheller — August 27, 2018
DUBLIN (RNS) — For many, Pope Francis' visit to Ireland was clouded by the latest revelations of clergy sex abuse in the U.S. and Australia and Catholic bishops' attempts to cover them up.
Pope on McCarrick claims: ‘I won’t say a word about it’
By Nicole Winfield — August 27, 2018
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis declined to confirm or deny claims that he knew about sexual misconduct allegations against the former archbishop of Washington but rehabilitated him anyway.
Pope apologizes for Catholic Church ‘crimes’ in Ireland
By Nicole Winfield — August 26, 2018
KNOCK, Ireland (AP) — Pope Francis, who is on a weekend visit to Ireland, told the hundreds of thousands of people who turned out for Mass that he met Saturday with victims of all sorts of abuses.
Pope in Ireland vows to end cover-up of clergy sex abuse
By Yonat Shimron — August 25, 2018
DUBLIN (AP) — Francis said he was committed to ridding the church of this "scourge" no matter the moral cost or amount of suffering but provided no new details of any measures he would take.
Irish bishops announce divestment from fossil fuels ahead of the pope’s visit
By Christine A. Scheller — August 25, 2018
DUBLIN (RNS) — The move comes in response to Francis’ 2015 environmental encyclical, “Laudato Si,” and follows the introduction of a bill in the Irish Parliament requiring the country’s sovereign wealth fund to divest from all fossil fuels.
At World Meeting of Families, Catholic leaders address sex abuse scandal, LGBT inclusion
By Christine A. Scheller — August 24, 2018
DUBLIN (RNS) — A range of challenges to family life in the 21st century — from poor communication and alienation to sexual misconduct and the treatment of LGBT persons — dominated conversation at the Catholic Church’s World Meeting of Families this week.
US not alone in grappling with Catholic sex abuse, cover-up
By Nicole Winfield — August 22, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cases of Catholic priests raping and molesting children, and of bishops covering up for them, have erupted on nearly every continent in recent years.
Catholics seek encouragement as World Meeting of Families opens in Dublin
By Christine A. Scheller — August 21, 2018
DUBLIN (RNS) — On the agenda of the triennial event, which began Tuesday (Aug. 21) and runs through Sunday, are workshops on topics ranging from domestic violence and migration to incarceration and personal technology.
Irish archbishop urges pope to speak frankly about abuse
By Nicole Winfield — August 19, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — 'It's not enough to just say sorry,' said Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. 'Structures that permit or facilitate abuse must be broken down, and broken down forever.'
Celtic spirituality draws pagans and Christians alike
By Eric Berger — August 17, 2018
(RNS) — 'It’s a big-tent spirituality,' said book editor Brandenburgh, 'so it’s something that not only Roman Catholics and mainline Protestants feel comfortable with, but it’s also something that is of interest to the neo-pagans of the world, many of the New Age types.'
Vatican-backed family rally to have speech on welcoming gays
By Nicole Winfield — June 12, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Rev. James Martin told The Associated Press it was 'immensely significant' that a Vatican-backed meeting would include his presentation, saying it showed 'that LGBT Catholics and their parents are an important part of our church.'
