Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed that a referendum on the removal of the offence of blasphemy from the Constitution will not take place during the lifetime of this Government. The Government believes proposed changes to the Constitution should be put to the people on a phased basis, he told RTÉ News, and that a third…

Pontiff’s ‘state of the world’ address covered many issues of local and world conflict

‘we shall honour each other if we learn to honour God, for we are made in his image and likeness’

Knock airport is boasting a record number of passengers in 2014, with more than 700,000 flying in and out. The west of Ireland airport registered a total of 703,324 passengers last year, 38,000 more than in 2013 and an increase of more than 5%. August 2014 was the airport’s busiest ever month with 102,774 passengers…

The leader of the Church in Ireland has insisted he will mount a “robust” defence of the right to life of mothers and unborn babies diagnosed with fatal foetal abnormalities in a meeting with the North’s Justice Minister this week. Archbishop Eamon Martin also urged Catholics to question their politicians over where they stand on…

Staff reporter Controversial cleric Fr Tony Flannery has said he would be “surprised” if his case was discussed at a high-profile meeting of Vatican officials in Hungary this week. The outspoken priest, who was suspended from ministry in 2012, said he would be “very happy” if Irish bishops attending the key meeting raised his case. He…

As incidents of racism increase, Irish parishes are urged to be more welcoming

New charity laws here which require dioceses and parishes to publish financial reports will bring greater transparency to the sector, the head of an agency charged with policing the laws here has said. Úna Ní Dhubhghaill, Chief Executive Designate of the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) told The Irish Catholic the new laws present a “real…

A Mass is being held in Dublin next week to mark the first anniversary of the tragic death of Tom O’Gorman, a well-known Catholic activist. His friends have organised an anniversary Mass at 3pm on Saturday, January 24 in Our Lady Mother of the Church, Castleknock, where Tom served for many years as a Minister…