Joe Little

Religious & Social Affairs Correspondent

Archbishop Luigi Ventura is suspected of having assaulted a junior official at a reception in Paris City Hall

France probes sex assault claim against Vatican envoy

The French authorities are investigating allegations that the Vatican's ambassador to the country molested a junior official at a reception at Paris City Hall.

Europe • 15 Feb 19

In the event of the death of the pope, Cardinal Kevin Farrell will run the Vatican's affairs until a new pope is elected

Pope names Dublin-born cardinal as new 'Camerlengo'

Pope Francis has named Dublin-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell as the new "Camerlengo", the prelate who runs the Vatican between the death or resignation of a pontiff and the election of a new one.

World • 14 Feb 19

Unmet home care needs were greatest among working-age families with an adult who had a disability

Study shows difficulty getting professional home care

Almost a quarter of lone-parent families and a fifth of families with a disabled adult were not able to get the level of formal childcare that they required two years ago, according to a report by the ESRI.

Ireland • 14 Feb 19

Two miracles have been attributed to Cardinal John Henry Newman

UCD founder Cardinal Newman to be made a saint

Cardinal John Henry Newman, the founder of what later became known as University College Dublin, is to be made a saint.

Ireland • 13 Feb 19

Bessborough was temporarily shut down 70 years ago

Burial plot at Bessborough home in Cork examined

The burial plot at the former mother and baby home at Bessborough in Cork has been examined by the Commission of Investigation, which is examining 18 such institutions.

Munster • 13 Feb 19

Last November, Katherine Zappone announced an enhanced excavation of the grounds of the Tuam site

Tuam DNA sampling report requested by April

The terms of reference in relation to the legal options regarding the collection of DNA samples from people who believe their relatives' remains are buried at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Home have been published.

Ireland • 13 Feb 19

Josepha Madigan was speaking at the 'We Are Church' meeting

Church weakened over discrimination of women - Madigan

The Minister for Culture has questioned the credibility of the Catholic Church's teaching that God approves gender discrimination against women who feel called to the priesthood.

Ireland • 11 Feb 19

Muslims - a category that includes both Sunnis and Shias - constitute the Republic of Ireland's third largest faith grouping, numbering 63,400 in the 2016 census

Muslim community in Ireland mark World Hijab Day

Muslim women living in Ireland have been marking the seventh World Hijab Day, which this year aims to challenge stereotypes and shatter boundaries.

Ireland • 01 Feb 19

More than 20 members of the Tuam Mother and Baby Support Group issued an urgent call for their DNA to be collected and banked for future use

Govt to examine whether law allows Tuam DNA collection

The Government's Special Rapporteur on Children's Rights is to examine whether current legislation permits the collection of DNA samples from survivors of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home and from their relatives.

Ireland • 31 Jan 19

More than 20 survivors of the Tuam home called for the immediate collection of their DNA samples

Tuam survivors' DNA request 'reasonable' - Taoiseach

The Taoiseach has said that the request from survivors of the Tuam mother-and-baby home for DNA samples to be taken from them without delay appears to be a reasonable one.

Ireland • 30 Jan 19