RTÉ aired two documentaries in January looking at the decline of the Catholic Church in Ireland: “The Last Priests in Ireland” and “The Last Nuns in Ireland.” But signs of hope can still be discerned amid the decline after years of church turbulence.
Politics & Society
Posted inFaith, Politics & Society
Anti-death-penalty Catholic group makes urgent appeal to stop ‘barbarous’ Alabama execution
After failing to administer the lethal injection to Kenneth Eugene Smith in 2022, the state of Alabama is facing pushback from advocates affiliated with the Rome based Sant’Egidio on its decision to instead use nitrogen hypoxia, the first execution of its kind in the U.S.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pro-lifers will march until abortion is ‘unthinkable,’ says head of March for Life
The 2024 event’s theme was “With Every Woman, For Every Child” and sought to highlight the work of pregnancy care centers and maternity homes.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Can Donald Trump be banned from the ballot? 5 questions for the Supreme Court.
Colorado and Maine have forced the U.S. Supreme Court to make a quick decision on whether Donald J. Trump can be removed from the ballot for having encouraged an ”insurrection.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
States keep voting to expand abortion access. Can Arizona’s pro-life Latinas change that?
In November voters in Arizona will vote on a ballot measure legalizing abortion in the state. If the state’s pro-life Latinas have anything to say about it, Arizona will reject expanding abortion.
Posted inFaith, Politics & Society
What to expect from the 2024 March for Life
“Are we done building a culture of life? Is abortion unthinkable? No.” Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, said. “So we continue marching at the states, at the national level.”
Posted inPolitics & Society, The Weekly Dispatch
The Weekly Dispatch: Wisdom from Pope Francis for the billionaires meeting in Davos
From a Catholic point of view, there is good reason to look askance at some of the “false promises” coming out of Davos, including the idea that better technology and the economic system as it is can deal with global poverty, inequality and care of creation.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
South Africa has taken Israel to international court on genocide charges. What comes next?
For many in South Africa, there is a symbolic significance in the decision to pursue the genocide charge. In 2024, South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, yet vast injustices still permeate South African society because of its traumatic history.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
There is a right and wrong way for Catholics to criticize Israel
I am an Israeli Jew who has studied Jewish-Catholic relations for many years. Reading a recent interview with my friend Father David Neuhaus published by America was a tormenting experience.
Posted inFaith, Politics & Society
Read: Pope Francis’ message to the head of the World Economic Forum
Pope Francis said businesses must “be increasingly guided not simply by the pursuit of fair profit, but also by high ethical standards, especially with regard to the less developed countries.”