Latest news with #HolyCommunion
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chemical castration for sex offenders may horrify the masses but I'm delighted
Chemical castration. State I first read the headlines I thought it must surely be a metaphor for Trump's erratic (definitely not erotic) foreign policy. Or perhaps a particularly unpleasant news story from Kazakhstan where they still play blood-drenched polo with a decapitated goat. But no. It's happening here in Britain – a pilot scheme to use chemical castration on sex offenders has been operational in prisons in the south-west of England since 2022. And it will be rolled out to 20 new prisons if Shabana Mahmood, our Justice Secretary, has her way. Hang on, Labour? I should have thought it was more on-brand as a Reform policy, but hey, this Government is performing so many U-turns it's hard to know which direction it's facing at any given time. Other than Brussels. Anyway, when the truth dawned about chemical castration on this sceptred isle (talk about cognitive dissonance), I'm not going to lie: I was torn between horror and elation and a palpable sense of relief that Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died the same year the trial started, probably wasn't briefed on the particulars. Horror because are we not civilised people who invented warm beer and, um, Empire? A nation of cricket grounds and old maids bicycling to Holy Communion? Elation because those rain-coated pervs will never again flash our beloved spinsters once they're singing falsetto in the schola cantorum. (Yes, I know castrati were operated on pre-puberty to preserve their treble pitch but I just wanted to mention they were typically dosed with opium, laid in a hot bath and had their tiny little testes either crushed by hand, twisted or snipped to sever the blood supply.) So in light of that procedure, how could anyone possibly object to sexual-suppression chemicals being given to convicted sex offenders? These would be administered by injection, implant or orally. Believe me, there are worse ways. I grew up among Irish farming folk and I can't unsee the things I witnessed. Back in the late 1970s, 'Burdizzos' were the thing; essentially a pair of large metal pliers that were clamped round a young bullock's scrotum to crushing point as the farmer counted to 20. On each side. You were supposed to hear a discernible crunch but it was hard to hear anything over the distraught creature's anguished bellow. After release, it went back to amiably eating grass. All sorted. Forever. Chemical castration for prisoners? A breeze! It's not even permanent. Unfortunately. Now, I am quite sure there are Dear Readers out there crossing their legs who are also really very cross at my upbeat tone. I will, of course, be accused by various chaps of sexism for my attitude towards emasculation. To them I say this: any woman, which is to say the vast majority, who has been sexually assaulted will have a very different perspective on the sanctity of a man's genitalia. Figures from Rape Crisis show that in England and Wales 71,227 rapes were reported to police in 2024. The same year, charges were brought in just 2.7 per cent of those cases – that's fewer than three of every 100 rapes recorded. It is a deeply depressing fact of modern life that rape is so commonplace and the treatment of victims by our justice system so demeaning that five out of six women who are raped don't report it – that's an additional 356,135 women every year. Sisters, mothers, daughters. Every one of my girlfriends will openly say they know someone who has been raped (for a troubling number that 'someone' is themselves), so how can it be that not a single one of their husbands and partners knows anyone who has committed rape? Sarah Everard, a talented, shining 33-year-old, was kidnapped, raped and murdered by serving Met officer Wayne Couzens in 2021. Long before he committed this heinous crime he was nicknamed 'the rapist' by colleagues. Because they thought it was funny. A shocking number of men joke about sexual depravity. In 2022, the Met had to deny the force was plagued by misogyny after an official report revealed shocking details of police officers sharing 'banter' about hitting and raping women. And these are just the men tasked with protecting us. So forgive me – or don't, I'm honestly not that bothered – for applauding the prospect of chemical castration for sex offenders and paedophiles. The pilot scheme currently under way is voluntary but, looking ahead, Mahmood will apparently consider overhauling medical laws in order to compel sex offenders to take libido-supressing drugs. I do have concerns, primarily about the way this treatment has been linked to the early release of prisoners in order to free up spaces in our overcrowded jails. The idea that simply taking medication would allow serious sex offenders to walk free early and spend less time behind bars is absolutely unacceptable. The Justice for Victims campaign group has already voiced its concern that proper efforts have not been made to place the needs of victims and families at the heart of sentencing policy. Another complicating factor is that rape can be a crime of anger and control; any sexual gratification is purely secondary, something that must be taken into account on a case by case basis. This then is a policy we will need to keep a close eye on. But in the meantime, in the public spirit of London 2012 Games Makers who happily herded the crowds or indeed the lockdown snitches who dobbed in their friends and neighbours during Covid, I'd be more than happy to volunteer for chemical castration duties. Just pass me the pills, the syringe or implants and I'll do the rest. And just in case there's trouble, I'll bring along a Burdizzo. A bit rusty, admittedly, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to hear the crunch… Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Princess Charlene of Monaco and Belgium's Queen Mathilde step out for Pope Leo XIV's inauguration Mass in all-white outfits (and only 7 people in the world are allowed to wear that colour today)
The world's Royal Families arrived in the Vatican City's St Peter's Square to attend Pope Leo XIV's historic inauguration mass on Sunday. Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain, and Queen Mathilde of Belgium looked equally stunning in all-white at the event. Charlene, Letizia, Mathilde, and Maria Teresa, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, are allowed to wear white in front of the Pope because they are one of the seven Catholic Queens, Princesses, and Duchesses. Meanwhile, 67-year-old Prince Albert looked smart in a navy suit and a pair of black sunglasses. Today marks the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, following his election on May 8. It comes after Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco made their first Holy Communion, the royal palace announced. The heir to the Monegasque throne - also known as the Marquis of Baux - and his twin sister, both 10, marked the religious ceremony with a series of sweet family portraits shared to the royal household's official Instagram page. The First Holy Communion, also known as the First Eucharist, is one of the most important milestones in the Catholic faith. It is a key step in in a child's faith journey, symbolising their deepening relationship with Jesus and the Church, and it involves receiving the consecrated bread and wine, believed to be the body and blood of Christ. The young royals beamed as they were joined by their parents Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene at the important ceremony. A translated statement shared to the palace's Instagram page read: 'On this day of First Communion, we extend our most sincere congratulations to Crown Prince James and Princess Gabriella who received this sacrament with faith and compulsion'. It further read that the palace extended its 'heartfelt congratulations' to the prince and princess who 'received this sacrament with faith and reverence'. The prince and princess looked adorable in white floor-length robes and matching gold necklaces. Prince Jacques, appropriately called Hereditary Prince Jacques, looked wholesome as ever in a pair of black leather lace-up loafers and a well-coiffed haircut. His sister - who is younger than the future king by two minutes - donned a pair of fitting white leather shoes, while her fringe was neatly parted and styled with a gold floral headband. The siblings smiled sweetly as they posed on the grounds of the Church. Pictured: Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe of Belgium arrive ahead of the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St Peter's Square Their parents Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were on hand to celebrate the momentous occasion, after which they posed for celebratory photographs. The prince, 67, and princess, 47, were pictured standing behind their children and appeared to be in happy spirits. In one image, the prince, 67, firmly embraced his son's left shoulder, perhaps signalling a physical show of support for his special day. For the ceremony, Albert - who has reigned over Monaco since 2005 - donned a dark blue suit, a crisp white shirt and a grey tie. Meanwhile Charlene stunned in a stylish dark grey ensemble with gold circular buttons. The former Olympian swimmer opted for a pared back look, as her make-up was minimal and her blonde tresses appeared to be tied backwards, allowing only a few strands loose for a parted fringe. The quartet looked spectacular and appeared to be in the happiest of spirits as they smiled cheerfully for the camera. The young royals are perhaps now accustomed to taking photographs after celebrating their 10th birthdays with a set of endearing snaps. Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco marked their milestone birthdays with a set of previously unseen family photos. The prince and princess were born two minutes apart at Princess Grace Hospital Monaco, which is named after their late grandmother, on December 10 2014. Although the children, who are the first set of twins in Monaco's royal household, occasionally appear with their parents for public occasions, they are growing up largely outside of the spotlight. To mark their birthday, the Royal Family's official Instagram account shared 12 new images of Jacques and Gabriella with their followers. The majority of the images were taken by Eric Mathon - the royals' official photographer who took their Christmas card image too. The first undated image shows Princess Gabriella in a gymnastics uniform and matching bow while wearing a medal around her neck and holding a pair of binoculars. As she beams for the camera, Gabriella's brother, who is dressed in a white polo and jeans, puts an arm around his sibling as they stand inside a gymnasium's private seating area. The photo montage also includes a candid image of the twins laughing in a garden while dressed formally for an unspecified occasion. Princess Gabriella - who wore an ivory dress and matching coat - is pictured leaning on her brother, who is wearing a navy suit and trying to control his giggles. Another image from the same occasion shows the twins making a love heart with their hands as they pose in front of a water fountain.
The Journal
17-05-2025
- General
- The Journal
Court orders girl will spend today with her mother ahead of her first Holy Communion
A PRIMARY SCHOOL student will spend this morning with her mother ahead of celebrating her first Holy Communion today. At the Family Law Court before making his ruling, Judge Alec Gabbett remarked 'it is the same ding-dong every year with the Sacraments'. The girl's parents are estranged and could not agree on First Holy Communion arrangements on Saturday for their daughter resulting in the two bringing their dispute before Judge Gabbett to rule upon. In ordering that the girl stay with her mother on Friday night to allow her to spend Saturday morning with her mother before the Holy Communion mass, Judge Gabbett said: 'At a very basic level, at a very human level, this is mother and daughter stuff.' He said: 'This is the girl's first Holy Communion morning and little girls should be with their mothers.' Judge Gabbett said that the proposal put forward by solicitor, Anne Walsh for the mother was 'extraordinarily sensible'. He said: 'It is one of the most reasonable proposals I have received in a long time to deal with a situation that is very acrimonious.' Ms Walsh said that her client's proposal, having discussed the matter with her daughter, is that she would spend the night at her home the night before and she had booked hairdressers for her daughter on the morning of the communion and the two would go there together. Ms Walsh said that the child was happy with the arrangement and that 'Mum takes her to the church – they sit with Dad and siblings in the same pew in the Church. They would take photographs after Church and my client would then head away.' Ms Walsh said that the girl would then spend the rest of the day with her father before returning to her client for a day out together on Sunday. Advertisement In response, solicitor, Mairead Doyle for the father said that he had spoken to his daughter and she had expressed a desire to spend the night before her Holy Communion with her siblings. Ms Doyle claimed that the mother's approach to the arrangements is 'if you don't do it my way' and that the child is under pressure 'and is caught in the middle of this'. Ms Walsh said that she wrote to the other side on 2 April following her client's conversation with her daughter about the day and did not receive a reply until May 14th. Judge Gabbett said that he did not have the wishes of the child in front of him and the father said that he could bring his daughter to court to tell the judge her own wishes for the day. In response, Ms Walsh said: 'If someone thinks that it is right to bring a child to court the day before her first Holy Communion that speaks volumes.' Judge Gabbett said: 'I am making the order – mum the night before.' Judge Gabbett said that 'Dad is getting the lion's share of the day – he is getting the party and the bouncy castle'. Judge Gabbett said that older siblings 'don't trump mother and daughter time on Holy Communion day'. He said: 'This should have been addressed a long time before today. I find that children are very robust and you will find that on the day of the Communion once the girl has opened her cards she will be delighted with herself and this will pass.' 'The only people who will be upset will be this former couple unfortunately and no judge is going to fix that. That is my order.' Judge Gabbett ordered as part of the court order that the girl would be handed over by the father to the mother at a local supermarket on Friday evening and after spending time with mother on Sunday would then return to father on Sunday evening.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
'He's getting party & bouncy castle.' Judge intervenes in parents' communion row
A judge has ordered that a primary school-going girl spend the night before her first Holy Communion with her mother this weekend. At the Family Law Court before making his ruling, Judge Alec Gabbett remarked: 'It is the same ding-dong every year with the Sacraments.' The girl's parents are estranged and could not agree on First Holy Communion arrangements on Saturday for their daughter, resulting in the two bringing their dispute before Judge Gabbett to rule upon. In ordering that the girl stay with her mother on Friday night to allow her to spend Saturday morning with her mother before the Holy Communion mass, Judge Gabbett said: 'At a very basic level, at a very human level, this is mother and daughter stuff." He said: 'This is the girl's first Holy Communion morning and little girls should be with their mothers.' Judge Gabbett said that the proposal put forward by solicitor Anne Walsh for the mother was 'extraordinarily sensible'. He said: 'It is one of the most reasonable proposals I have received in a long time to deal with a situation that is very acrimonious.' Ms Walsh said that her client's proposal, having discussed the matter with her daughter, is that she would spend the night at her home the night before and she had booked hairdressers for her daughter on the morning of the communion and the two would go there together. Ms Walsh said that the child was happy with the arrangement and that 'Mum takes her to the church – they sit with Dad and siblings in the same pew in the Church. They would take photographs after Church and my client would then head away'. Ms Walsh said that the girl would then spend the rest of the day with Dad before returning to her client for a day out together on Sunday. In response, solicitor, Mairead Doyle for the father said that he had spoken to his daughter and she had expressed a desire to spend the night before her Holy Communion with her siblings. Ms Doyle claimed that the mother's approach to the arrangements is 'if you don't do it my way' and that the child is under pressure 'and is caught in the middle of this'. Ms Walsh said that she wrote to the other side on April 2 following her client's conversation with her daughter about the day and did not receive a reply until May 14. Judge Gabbett said that he did not have the wishes of the child in front of him and the father said that he could bring his daughter to court to tell the judge her own wishes for the day. In response, Ms Walsh said: 'If someone thinks that it is right to bring a child to court the day before her first Holy Communion, that speaks volumes.' Judge Gabbett said: 'I am making the order – mum the night before.' He added: 'Dad is getting the lion's share of the day – he is getting the party and the bouncy castle.' Judge Gabbett said that older siblings 'don't trump mother and daughter time on Holy Communion day'. He said: 'This should have been addressed a long time before today. I find that children are very robust and you will find that on the day of the Communion once the girl has opened her cards she will be delighted with herself and this will pass. 'The only people who will be upset will be this former couple unfortunately and no judge is going to fix that. That is my order.' Judge Gabbett ordered as part of the court order that the girl would be handed over by the father to the mother at a local supermarket on Friday evening and after spending time with mother on Sunday would then return to father on Sunday evening.
Extra.ie
14-05-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
The cost of raising children soars to astronomical figure
Get ready to tighten the belt if you're planning to have children – they now cost a massive €169,000 each to raise from cradle to college. The costs have risen by over €63,000 in just ten years, a 60% increase, which was described by one family finance expert as 'dramatic'. The first year of a child's life is the most expensive and eats up almost a quarter of the child-rearing bills. Finance expert and mother of two, Kel Galavan, said: 'There was massive inflation around the Covid time (2020 to 2022), so that bumped up the price of things. Stock Image of a father enjoying quality time with his children. Pic: Getty Images 'The thing with raising a child is things like nappies and baby formula, they're a really acute moment-in-time cost you can't do without. That first year of life is 24% of the cost of raising a child.' Some of the costs have almost trebled over the past ten years. A year's worth of nappies jumped from €505 in 2015 to €1,456 now, baby formula spiralled from €542 a year to €1,456, while a year of pocket money almost doubled from an average of €643 to €1,196. However, some costs have fallen. University and college fees have dropped from €4,056 a year to €3,387, which is a 16% decline. Stock Image of a mother enjoying quality time with her son. Pic: Getty ImagesPic: Getty Images Families are also cutting back on much of their discretionary spending to cope with the price rise for essentials. The amount spent on family holidays dropped from €1,654 to €1,079 a year, a 35% decline, while spending on Communion and Confirmation gifts saw the most dramatic fall, going from €574 a year to just €120, a 79% drop. Spending on birthday presents also saw a major drop, falling from €499 a year to just €148, a 70% decline. Children making their Holy Communion. (Stock Image) Pic: Shutterstock However, the overall average cost of raising a child to 21 has risen to €169,372.85, a 60% increase since 2015. The first year of a child's life, at 23% of the total costs, and their teen years, at 24%, are the most expensive. The cost per child, per year, from 'cradle to college', is €15,324.20, an increase of 39% in the past decade, the Laya Life research found. However, families with more than one child save through 'hand-me-downs' on clothes and uniforms, but some things are not recyclable. Pic: Shutterstock Families are also cutting back on holiday costs by switching trips abroad for stays in Ireland. Ms Galavan, who has a 14-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son, said: 'Staycations became really popular there, partly because of Covid, but also the general cutting back on things. 'Also, some families used to have two holidays a year, and now they're just having one.' She said the fall in spending on birthday presents and Communions was 'really significant because… You want to give them everything and have those special types of days, but 79% and 70% drops, that's done out of necessity'. A smartphone is also now a necessity for teens, often to access Google Classroom for homework, adding further expense for parents. The results were based on an online survey of 1,000 parents by Empathy Research. Laya Healthcare is now part of AXA Insurance.
