Column: Cardinal Rules Part 18. Diary of a priest stuck in a confessional.
This week, the (not) Primate of All Ireland brings us exclusive extracts from Fr Brendan Phelan’s short but intense journal, Without Hope, about his five days locked in a confession box.
View ArticleFG’s Charlie Flanagan says the Papal Nuncio should be expelled
The Vatican’s response to allegations of clerical sex abuse in Cloyne was described as “unhelpful”.
View ArticleThe 9 at 9: Saturday
Nine things to know this morning, including a row between Church and State, the wrong type of Roscommon U-turn, and a bad day for Lady Gaga…
View ArticleNew row between Church and State over ‘privileged’ confessions
Frances Fitzgerald says the ‘privilege’ of confession will not exempt a priest from new duties reporting child abuse.
View ArticlePoll: Should priests be exempted from mandatory crime reporting?
The government is to make it a crime for priests not to report a crime if it’s confessed to them. What do you think?
View ArticleShatter insists mandatory reporting will apply to priests despite Cardinal’s...
Cardinal Seán Brady has said that the seal of the confession is inviolable and that any attempt to undermine it is a challenge to the right of Catholics to freedom of religion.
View ArticleNo exceptions for priests in child abuse legislation
Catholic confession will not get special treatment in new laws over reporting child abuse, the government has confirmed.
View ArticleChina: Gu Kailai given suspended death sentence for Heywood murder
Gu Kailai was found guilty of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood, a crime she had confessed to, and given the death penalty with two years’ reprieve in a case which has rocked China.
View ArticleSwedish serial killer case to be reviewed
Sture Bergwall was convicted of eight murders before later retracting his confession – and being acquitted in three cases.
View ArticleGermany’s Catholics told to pay church tax or no sacraments
Anyone who does not pay between eight and 10 per cent of income tax to the church will no longer be able to receive sacraments or become a godparent.
View ArticleColumn: I don’t want my son to make his Communion, but I’m worried
Communion takes up too much school time says Emma Gilmore, but by opting out she fears her son may be ostracised.
View ArticleFall guy: Michael Owen admits to diving for England
The Stoke striker admitted to ‘winning’ spotters against Argentina in two World Cups.
View ArticleLance Armstrong ‘plans to admit doping’ in Oprah interview
The shamed former peloton leader will tape an interview with Oprah Winfrey on Monday in Austin.
View ArticleAmerican confesses to murder as he is executed
William Happ raped and strangled Angie Crowley in 1986 but only confessed as he lay on execution table.
View ArticleCycling’s 2013: Armstrong admission overshadows Froome dominance
Team Sky took the yellow jersey at the Tour but the big story arrived away from the Champs Elysees.
View ArticleFancy a confession box for the gaff? You can buy this one
Give up yer aul sins without missing the soaps.
View ArticleNorth Korea deports 75-year-old Australian after he signs “confession”
The missionary had been detained last month for distributing religious material.
View ArticlePakistani man held for cannibalism after eating baby
The man admitted the terrible crime after being arrested by police. He had already served two years in prison for cannibalism.
View ArticleMen freed after 30 years in US prison for crime they didn’t commit
The two men are mentally impaired and one of them is the longest serving death row inmate in North Carolina.
View ArticleSharing everything about yourself online can be a form of self-bullying
“You can lose honour and respect if you’re revealing something ludicrous and silly that you’ve done.”
View ArticleIdentical twin admits to rapes his brother was imprisoned for
Yoan Gomis confessed to his crimes after his twin brother Elvin had been wrongly imprisoned for ten months.
View ArticleLevi Bellfield admits killing British teen Milly Dowler
Despite his conviction for the girl’s murder, this is the first time he has ever admitted it to police.
View ArticleiConfess to Almighty God – Church approves confession app
The new app means you can confess to the Almighty while on the go, plus our top five religious apps.
View Article11 things we all did when we were kids
Did you learn about Willie Birmingham? And use furniture to avoid lava?
View ArticleBelgian authorities finally have the 'man in the hat' in custody
Mohamed Abrini has confessed to being the man seen at Brussels airport.
View ArticleBelgian hopes rise for breakthrough in 1980s killings
A confession by a former policeman might hold answers to the murders.
View Article8 confessions that we need to be forgiven for immediately
Big bag of confession with the lads.
View Article'How can you cheer abortion?': Bishop 'horrified' by referendum celebrations
Alphonsus Cullinan said Catholic Yes voters “should go to confession”.
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