# Catholic Church

Over 160 new allegations of clerical sex abuse in last year

Most of these allegations related to abuse in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

7.5k

May 2nd 2014, 9:09 AM

Opinion: Priests should break the seal of confession when someone admits to child abuse

The most sacred thing in any civilised society should be the protection of children.

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Apr 29th 2014, 8:00 AM

Column: Let's take the Sacraments out of class time (and out of teachers' hands)

Instead of spending 20-30 hours of curriculum time focusing on the Sacraments, preparation should take place after school hours.

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Apr 22nd 2014, 1:00 PM

# Urbi et Orbi

Over 150,000 people attended the Pope's Easter mass

He called on the international community to “prevent violence” in Ukraine.

5.7k

Apr 21st 2014, 9:35 AM

Column: Louise O’Keeffe ruling shows Ireland's school patronage system is unworkable

The State is responsible for the rights of students in the national school system even if the schools are run by patron bodies, writes Peter Ferguson.

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Apr 3rd 2014, 1:00 PM

# double sainthood

Vatican turns to social media as two popes - including John Paul II - to be made saints

Millions of people are expected to attend the mass later this month at which the two popes will be canonised.

8.2k

Apr 2nd 2014, 7:30 AM

# Tyrone

Priest cleared of sex assault allegations quits two weeks after return

Father Eugene Boland attended therapy to prepare him for his return to public ministry but his diocese said today it quickly became clear “he was not ready”.

14.3k

Mar 31st 2014, 11:08 AM

# art history

Could Mona Lisa have been a feminist who wanted more women in the Church?

One amateur art historian believes he has the story behind that smile…

8.0k

Mar 15th 2014, 4:00 PM

# Violence

Indian court convicts 3 over gang rape of Catholic nun

One of the accused was found guilty of rape while two others were convicted of “outraging the modesty of a woman”.

17.5k

Mar 14th 2014, 8:30 PM

# one year in office

How would you rate Pope Francis' first year in office?

The pontiff took up the role on this date last year.

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Mar 13th 2014, 6:15 AM

Memorial event remembers women incarcerated in Magdalene laundries

The event was held in Glasnevin Cemetery today.

8.6k

Mar 2nd 2014, 7:05 PM

# Diarmuid Martin

Church's teachings on marriage and family 'disconnected from real life'

The Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin addressed a group of priests this evening having received the results of questionnaire distributed in his diocese.

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Feb 27th 2014, 10:21 PM

# turbulent priests

Priest says Iona Institute didn't handle homophobia debate well

Fr Brendan Hoban said Iona’s ‘rush to the legal eagles’ was unwise.

12.9k

Feb 24th 2014, 2:28 PM

# Original

Martin: There's a danger marriage will lose originality if gay marriage allowed

Despite his own views, the Archbishop of Dublin said debates on issues like this should be carried out “in a mature way”.

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Feb 9th 2014, 7:25 PM

# holy see report

"Immediate State action" needed on Magdalene justice scheme

JFM Research made the call after the United Nations denounced the Catholic Church for allowing priests to rape children.

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Feb 5th 2014, 7:15 PM

# Child Abuse

Vatican says it will protect children - but criticises UN for 'interfering'

The Holy See said it sees some of the UN committee’s observations as interfering with its teaching.

7.4k

Feb 5th 2014, 1:40 PM

# Child Abuse

United Nations denounces the Vatican for allowing priests to rape children

The UN demanded that the Vatican “immediately remove” all clergy who are known or suspected child abusers.

12.2k

Feb 5th 2014, 11:00 AM

# thanks god

Pope Francis says the internet is a gift from God

However the Pope also warned internet users not to isolate themselves from society.

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Jan 23rd 2014, 12:37 PM

Spain's new cardinal says homosexuality is a 'defect'

The 84-year-old has been criticised by gay rights groups for his comments.

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Jan 20th 2014, 1:10 PM

Former Pope Benedict defrocked nearly 400 priests in two years for child abuse

Statistics for 2011-12 show a dramatic increase over the 171 priests removed in 2008 and 2009.

55.6k

Jan 17th 2014, 10:50 PM

# Church

McAleese: Catholic Church 'in denial over homosexuality for decades'

Her comments were welcomed by liberal Redemptorist priest Fr Tony Flannery.

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Jan 8th 2014, 9:27 AM

Column: Pope Francis is considering the needs of survivors of clerical child sexual abuse

As yet, the Papal Commission initiative is quite short on details; I see opportunity and hope in this ‘space’ but it will take courage to enter it from both sides, writes Mark Vincent Healy.

Jan 1st 2014, 8:30 PM

Column: Have we become numb to the figures on clerical child abuse?

I am one of the fortunate survivors to have secured a criminal conviction against one of two Spiritan priests who sexually abused me. Last week’s national audits of the Catholic clergy show others are not so lucky, writes campaigner Mark Vincent Healy.

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Dec 18th 2013, 7:30 PM

Just 12 Christian Brothers convicted after 870 allegations

The NBSCCCI said the files they read left them in no doubt that a “great number of children were seriously abused by Brothers”.

15.9k

Dec 10th 2013, 11:08 PM

Abuse victims' group has "serious concerns" over safeguarding review

One in Four says that the legalistic nature of the Christian Brothers’ response to allegations of child sex abuse is in keeping with their clients’ experiences.

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Dec 10th 2013, 2:28 PM

Cardinal Brady says he is 'truly sorry' to survivors

The Archbishop of Armagh was speaking after the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church published its review of practices in the archdiocese.

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Dec 10th 2013, 11:58 AM

Safeguarding board has "no remit" to deal with abuse by Irish priests abroad

As further reviews of child protection measures across Catholic Church in Ireland published, “anomaly” emerges.

2.9k

Dec 10th 2013, 11:55 AM

Accused 'Kiltegan Fathers' on African missions "afforded too much tolerance"

In one case, a priest believed to have abused at least 50 victims since 1966 did not leave the society until 2002.

12.4k

Dec 10th 2013, 11:16 AM

Archbishop of Cashel and Emly praised for speedy reaction to abuse claims

However, the tone used to some complainants was “inconsistent” – some responses were compassionate and others were “sharp in tone”.

3.5k

Dec 10th 2013, 11:09 AM

Diocese of Down and Connor met 46 of 48 child safety objectives

The second-largest diocese in the country has dealt with cases involving 14 living priests in recent years, dealing with each of them properly, a report by the Church’s child safety watchdog has found.

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Dec 10th 2013, 10:46 AM

# Child Safety

Catholic Church child welfare watchdog to publish audit results today

The largest audit of Church bodies to date will be published today, with Christian Brothers particularly under the microscope.

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Dec 10th 2013, 7:31 AM

# Sex Abuse

Vatican not legally liable for clerical abuse - says Vatican

UN committee’s questionnaire on Vatican’s own investigations into clerical sex abuse cases also remains unanswered.

8.2k

Dec 5th 2013, 7:30 AM

# a grave matter

New graveyard rules ban food, drink and 'inappropriate' headstones

The parish priest in Buncrana will have final approval on headstones and there are strict guidelines for flowers and plants.

14.5k

Dec 2nd 2013, 10:27 AM

# alms

Vatican charity arm turning pope's words into action

Discreet daily rounds of charity-giving based on letters sent to Pope Francis.

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Nov 30th 2013, 5:00 PM

# Vatican

How should the Pope do his job? He wants you to tell him

Pope Francis is looking for suggestions on how his role should change, and has called for powers to be taken away from the Vatican.

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Nov 26th 2013, 12:48 PM

Good Morning

The 9 at 9 Good morning. Here are the nine stories you need to know as you kick off your day.

14.0k

Nov 4th 2013, 8:46 AM

Priest steps aside as "child safeguarding" complaint is investigated

A statement from the Bishop of Kilmore says that the complaint relates to events that happened “a considerable time ago”.

11.5k

Nov 4th 2013, 8:35 AM

# vintage values

Catholic pamphlets from 1920s-50s advised on marriage, swearing and becoming a nun

A large exhibition of early 20th century publications are going on display in Dublin.

22.6k

Nov 2nd 2013, 9:30 AM

# Clergy

Murphy Report unfairly 'named, blamed and shamed' individuals says review

The review, commissioned by the Association for Catholic Priests, says that the Murphy report into child sexual abuse in Dublin “went well beyond its mandate”.

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Oct 29th 2013, 4:31 PM