There has been a minor kerfuffle about the religion question in the Census everyone was supposed to do last night. The question is a simple one; ‘what is your religion?’ The kerfuffle has centred mainly on how people should answer the question, and specifically whether it would be more honest for someone who almost never...
In January, the Iona Institute and the Irish Catholic newspaper held a conference called ‘Pope Francis and the Future of the Family’. It was a reflection on the two Synods on the Family that took place in Rome in 2014 and 2015 and which led to the Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Amoris Laetitia’ in April. The keynote...
State discrimination against religious views and bodies is becoming an issue. Recent reports indicate that Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) is set to withdraw public funding from the Boyle Family Life Centre, an ethos-based service provider of the Diocese of Elphin, which serves the practical needs of both the parish community and the wider...
A previous post reported on the proceedings of a recent surrogacy conference in Dublin. It is fair to say that most people would find at least some of the information revealed at the conference quite shocking. This blog will examine a few of the ethical issues raised by surrogacy, including issues that were directly raised...
A report which sought to support greater availability of surrogacy across Europe has been rejected by a key committee of the Council of Europe. Following consideration of the report, ‘Human Rights and ethical issues related to Surrogacy’, the Council’s Social Affairs Committee struck down a draft resolution on the issue, meaning the Council’s opposition to...
Archbishop Eamon Martin has said Catholics should ask politicians about their policies towards the family, the right to life, schools and freedom of conscience in the coming election campaign. Speaking at a conference organised by the Iona Institute and The Irish Catholic newspaper, the Primate of All Ireland called on those who wish to be “advocates...
Archbishop Eamon Martin will be the keynote speaker at our next conference which is being jointed hosted with The Irish Catholic.
The number of children living in ‘traditional family’ settings in the United States has plummeted, new research has found. Defining the traditional family as one where “the children are under 18 years old, the mother stays at home while the father works and both parents are in their first marriage”, the Pew Research Centre studied...
A recent Iona Institute conference discussed the marriage referendum and how it affects our view of the family and the natural rights of children and their parents.
Pope Francis has announced the establishment of a new body dedicated to the care of the family, the laity and life issues. Addressing the assembled participants at the Synod of the Family in Rome, the Pope said: “I have decided to establish a new Dicastery with competency for Laity, Family and Life, that will replace the Pontifical Council...
