Northern Ireland

The Latest

Newly appointed Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill made history Feb. 3, 2024, by becoming the first Catholic and first Irish nationalist to lead the country’s government in its 103 years of existence.

Catholic to lead Northern Ireland’s government for first time in history

Feb 5, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

First Minister Michelle O'Neill is a member of Sinn Féin and officially supports the reunification of the Republic of Ireland... Read more

Pro-life protesters outsider the Belfast High Court as Northern Ireland abortion laws were being challenged in Belfast, U.K., Oct. 3, 2019.

Catholic bishop condemns abortion curriculum in Northern Ireland’s schools

Jun 8, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

A Catholic bishop in Northern Ireland condemned new regulations in the country that will require schools to discuss abortion access... Read more

Belfast, Northern Ireland at night. TS Drown via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Biden visits Northern Ireland for 25th anniversary of Good Friday Agreement: a CNA explainer

Apr 11, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

President Joe Biden is traveling to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday to commemorate the 25th anniversary... Read more

Protestant graffiti in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1974, during The Troubles

Ireland marks anniversary of Good Friday Agreement as Pope Francis prays for peace

Apr 10, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Pope Francis and other Christian leaders called for prayer and a rededication to the peace secured in Northern Ireland by... Read more

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UK Supreme Court rules in favor of banning prayer, protests at abortion clinics

Dec 7, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The law prohibits “direct” and “indirect” pro-life “influence,” broadly defined, within 100 meters (about 328 feet) of an abortion provider. Read more

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris arrives at St Anne's Cathedral for the Service of Reflection in Belfast on Sept. 13, 2022.

UK government funds abortion in Northern Ireland as pro-life groups object

Oct 25, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Chris Heaton-Harris, secretary of state for Northern Ireland, said Monday that the U.K. government will “ensure the commissioning of abortion... Read more

CNA

Legal scrutiny delays Northern Ireland limits on pro-life outreach at abortion clinics

May 16, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The Attorney General for Northern Ireland, Brenda King, has asked the U.K. Supreme Court to rule whether a ban on... Read more

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Abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ bill to become law in Northern Ireland

Mar 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The bill makes it a criminal offense for pro-lifers to engage in ‘influencing’ women inside ‘safe access zones.’ Read more

Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Irish Catholic bishops call on Patriarch Kirill to support Ukraine ceasefire

Mar 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘This invasion and aggression reminds us of the fragility of peace, even in Europe,’ the bishops said. Read more

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Pro-lifers lament High Court ruling on abortion in N Ireland

Feb 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘If this judgment is allowed to stand, the Secretary of State can simply block any attempt to restrict abortion or... Read more

A mural in Derry depicting then-Father Daly leading a group carrying a victim on Bloody Sunday, Jan. 30, 1972.

Bloody Sunday anniversary a time to remember, and forgive, Derry bishop says

Jan 28, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Fifty years ago, the Bloody Sunday massacre resulted in many reactions: lies, anger, and a misplaced desire to forget the... Read more

Pro life protesters outsider the Belfast High court, as Northern Ireland abortion laws were being challenged. Belfast, UK. Oct. 3, 2019

Abortion buffer zones: Pro-lifers accuse Northern Ireland human rights commissioner of ‘weasel words’

Dec 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

A new bill would criminalize pro-lifers found ‘influencing’ women inside buffer zones. Read more

Pro life protesters outsider the Belfast High court, as Northern Ireland abortion laws were being challenged. Belfast, UK. Oct. 3, 2019

Northern Ireland considering abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ law

Oct 14, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

A proposal to require so-called “buffer zones” around abortion clinics - an area where protests would not be allowed -... Read more

Claudy bombing memorial statue created by sculptor Elizabeth McLaughlin

Priest’s rumored involvement in IRA bombings revisited in lawsuit against Derry diocese

Sep 17, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

After the Northern Ireland government and police agreed to settle a lawsuit with several families of victims of a bombing... Read more

Archbishop Eamon Martin holds a reliquiary containing relics of Auschwitz martyr St. Maximilian Kolbe in Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland, Sept. 5, 2021.

All-Ireland Primate honors Auschwitz martyr St. Maximilian Kolbe

Sep 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Martin carried the Auschwitz martyr’s relics through the streets of a Northern Irish town. Read more

Catholic bishops: New N Ireland abortion intervention is ‘gravely disquieting’

Jul 28, 2021

By CNA Staff

The bishops said the British government had imposed an ‘unjust law.’ Read more

A pupil from Holy Cross Girls' School with a soldier from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

N Irish bishop criticizes UK plan to end inquests, prosecutions related to the Troubles

Jul 15, 2021

By CNA Staff

The British government has announced a plan to halt all prosecutions related to the 20th century religious-fueled conflicts in Northern... Read more

Parliament buildings, Stormont, Belfast   Credit: Stephen Barnes/Shutterstock

Christians in Northern Ireland concerned about push for vague 'conversion therapy' ban

May 20, 2021

By CNA Staff

After Northern Ireland lawmakers passed a resolution to develop a ban on “conversion therapy” regarding sexual orientation and gender identity,... Read more

Relatives of those killed during the Ballymurphy massacre demonstrate in Dublin, Ireland, Jan. 30, 2014. Credit: Sinn Féin via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

After decades, Northern Ireland inquest recognizes victims of Ballymurphy Massacre

May 14, 2021

By CNA Staff

A Catholic priest, a mother of eight, and at least seven other civilians were wrongly killed by British soldiers in... Read more