Ireland celebrates ‘virtual’ St. Patrick’s Day (Vatican News) Down through the years, St Patrick’s Day celebrations have been known for their exuberant parades, parties, music and dance. However, for the second year running, the Irish both at home and abroad are marking the national holiday on virtual platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is even a St Patrick’s Festival TV channel dedicated to showcasing Irish theatre, art, performance, poetry, storytelling, traditional arts, virtual tours, and food…
Italy court blocks Bannon-linked plan for Catholic academy at monastery (AP) Italy’s top administrative court has ruled against a conservative think tank affiliated with former White House adviser Steve Bannon over its use of a 13th century hilltop monastery to train future populist leaders, a decision Bannon denounced March 16 as a politically motivated “joke.” The Council of State ruled that the Culture Ministry was correct in cancelling the concession it had given to the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, or Human Dignity Institute. The court found that the institute had lied when it bid for the lease of the monastery in 2017, claiming it had qualifications to run it that “subsequently were shown to be not true…”
Utah governor considering law to make porn filters mandatory (CNA) The governor of Utah is considering signing a bill that would make pornography filters mandatory and switched on by default on cell phones sold in the state. The bill would require smartphone manufacturers automatically to enable filters on devices “activated” in Utah that prevent “the user from accessing or downloading material that is harmful to minors,” which includes pornography. Adults would be provided a passcode to deactivate the filters if they choose…
‘Our prayers are with you,’ Cardinal Dolan tells woman who would replace Cuomo (The New York Post) Cardinal Timothy Dolan told Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday that New York was praying for her — and joked that she could “light some candles” after he celebrated St. Patrick’s Day Mass…