Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Thursday 23 March 2023 Dublin: 10°C

# Religion

All time
# Your Say
Poll: Do you believe in miracles?
What do you think?
# priest training
'Maynooth seminary has to change, we are living in a different world'
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said “radical change” is needed within the Catholic Church.
# mass hysteria
11 things you'll know if your parents love a good Mass
NO ESCAPE.
# Germany
German interior minister says he's in favour of a partial burqa ban
Last week he unveiled tough new anti-terror measures which included a proposal to strip jihadist fighters of their German nationality.
# questionnaire
Trump wants to quiz people on religion and gender equality before they enter US
The Republican presidential candidate previously called for a ban on Muslims entering America.
# no faith
'Sham baptisms': Priests struggle with reasons behind the ceremony while parents feel hypocrital
Under the current system, children trying to get a place in a primary school can be divided into categories depending on their faith.
# lived experience
School children tell us what they think about how they learn about religion
Here is what they had to say…
# a fine balance
'She's coming home singing Ave Maria': Religion from the back of the classroom
Ireland’s non-religious parents face some tough choices about how their children participate.
# MAKING CHANGES
Here is how Ireland's bishops responded to being asked to hand over their schools
Then education minister Ruairí Quinn had high hopes when he wrote to bishops around the country back in 2013.
# religious education
The State employs 154 religious chaplains in secondary schools around the country
The cost of their employment is €9.5 million.
# Terrorism
Pope says the world is at war - but religion is not the cause
Pope Francis said all religions want peace, “it’s the others who want war”.
# Plurality
Educate Together to run new primary school at former priest-training college
The organisation also won the patronage of a primary school in Cabra.
# News Fix
Here's What Happened Today: Monday
Problems for non-religious parents, Finian McGrath’s smoking comments and the suspension of the Luas sick pay scheme…
Voices
Given up on Catholicism? Why you should tick 'no religion' on the census tomorrow
Religion is all of our business when over 90% of state-funded schools remain in church hands, writes Donal O’Keeffe.
# germs
Havoc caused by STIs - not true love - is what makes humans mate for life
That’s according to a study which argues that falling population numbers forced a rethink of sexual behaviours.
'What is your religion?' People are being urged to think hard about that come census night
The Humanists Association of Ireland want people to consider how they really feel.
# Good Friday
12 things the world needs to understand about Ireland on Holy Thursday
Things get bleak.
# The Meaning of Life
Interview where Stephen Fry tells Gay Byrne God is evil is up for an award
“How dare you create a world in which there is such misery that is not our fault. It’s not right. “
# Patronage
Secular Schools Ireland to apply to run three new primary schools in Dublin
Some 96% of primary schools are under religious control.
Voices
'Hearing a prayer at the start of the new Dáil grated against my nerves'
In the Dáil, the charade of religious worship equals the charade of politics in its need for reform, writes Oliver Moran.
# France
'The toilets were absolutely full of crucifixes': Two elderly people arrested over theft of religious items
More than 3,000 religious objects were found in their homes.
Voices
The Catholic Church still doesn't get the horror of child abuse
The Church – to quote the brilliant film “Spotlight” – thinks in centuries, writes Donal O’Keeffe.
# Il Papa Don't Reach
The Pope was not impressed that someone nearly pulled him down
The Pope is on a visit to Mexico.
# ashes to ashes
Why do people get ashes on their head today?
And why don’t some eat meat?
# almighty question
What did God do before the world was made? The Pope has given an answer
It’s part of a children’s book the Pontiff has written.
# easter tradition
Pope changes rule to allow women have their feet washed on Holy Thursday
Shortly after he was elected, Francis raised conservative eyebrows by performing the rite on men and women, Catholics and Muslims.
# radical messages
Jewish extremists vandalise church where Virgin Mary is said to have died
The graffiti included threats of violence, messages degrading Jesus and a call for Christians to “go to hell”.
# glass slipper
This town built a church shaped like a shoe to attract female worshippers
Someone’s been watching too much Sex and the City.
Voices
The Catholic Church does not promote an egalitarian ethic - it never has
The Catholic Church has a record of abuse, twisted morality and regressive politics, writes Julien Mercille.
# Equality Tribunal
Teacher to be compensated after principal insulted gay son
She said her boss made derogatory comments about her son’s clothes, and members of the Catholic Church.
# street wars
When fear and hatred of Irish Catholics set fire to an American city
What an explosive, forgotten 172-year-old chapter in Irish-American history can teach us about the world today.
# rubai
This Irish film about an 8-year-old atheist girl is winning lots of awards
The short film is going to be shown on TG4 tonight.
# the force awakens
German church holds Star Wars themed mass to attract more young people
About 500 people heeded the call and attended the service, some carrying lightsaber props or wearing Darth Vader masks.
# happy un-holy-days
This guy is trolling Christmas itself with his controversial zombie nativity scene
Step away from the manger.
# Prime Numbers
How much will a can of beer cost you next year? It's the week in numbers
Plus: How many selfies did Teresa Mannion say she posed for in Ballina?
# Germany
South Korean family charged with murder over brutal hotel exorcism
A 41-year-old woman was “severely” beaten, allegedly by a group including her own son.
# Religion Lessons
The Archbishop of Dublin says parents who don't want their kids to do religion have a point
But he says Catholic education is “not poison”.
# word of life
Seven charged with murdering teenager in secretive church "confession" beating
19-year-old Lucas Leonard was trying to leave the “Word of Life” church in New York, when he was beaten to death over six hours.
# Poll
Poll: Should schools require students to study religion?
What do you think?
# Child Abuse
'Quite startling': €31m of church property for redress fund yet to be transferred
€83 million of donations has been made from congregations since the Ryan Report.