A former British soldier is set to be prosecuted in connection with the deaths of two civil rights protesters in Northern Ireland 47 years ago, part of an incident known as Bloody Sunday.
Ireland
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
If it’s ‘bourach,’ don’t Brexit!
After the stunning defeat of Theresa May’s exit deal, Scotland is looking anew at independence, and the U.K. government fears economic disaster.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Ireland agrees to reassess claims of workers in Magdalene laundries
Women who worked in Ireland’s “Magdalene laundries” but were denied compensation under the state’s Magdalene Restorative Justice program have won their long-running battle to have their applications reassessed.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Irish president signs new abortion law
Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland signed an abortion law which takes affect on January 1, 2019. According to the Department of Health, only 200 of some 2,500 family doctors have signed up to be abortion providers. However, many Irish doctors have expressed concern that despite conscientious objections, they might be forced by law to conduct abortions.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Britain staggers toward the Brexit deadline, with another separation plan in doubt
The new 500-page Brexit proposal released by Theresa May’s government largely ducks the Irish border question, and Britons are growing nervous about food supplies should the plan collapse.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
All Christians should welcome the end of Ireland’s ban on blasphemy
Before the vote, the Irish bishops called the law against blasphemy “largely obsolete,” and its demise makes for a more constructive social arrangement than Catholic hegemony.
Posted inArts & Culture, Theater
Review: The Troubles bring trouble to a farm family in Northern Ireland
In the fallen world of “The Ferryman,” conflict and compromise poison everything.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis addresses abuse—but not Viganò letter—in first audience after Ireland
Sources close to the pope said that “he has no intention of resigning.”
Posted inFaith, News
Ireland seeks Church reparations for mass baby burials
An Irish government Cabinet minister has told Pope Francis that the Catholic Church “should contribute substantially” to funding reparations for survivors of a former church-run orphanage where a mass grave of children’s remains was discovered.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope addresses Viganò report, child abuse cover-ups and families with gay children in press conference
Pope Francis said that he trusted people to make their own judgment on Archbishop Viganò’s letter and that parents of gay children should “dialogue, understand, make room for that son or daughter.”