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…

Samuel McNally (7) from St Aidan’s parish in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford proudly displays the Christmas card he received from Pope Francis. Samuel had made his own cards for Christmas and sent one off to Pope Francis. He was delighted when the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland forwarded him a Christmas card and photo from the Pope…

The Irishman tapped to be the Pope’s new representative to Haiti has said he will bring a message of hope to the country still struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake. Clare-born Archbishop Eugene Nugent, who is currently Apostolic Nuncio in Madagascar, told The Irish Catholic his mission from the Pontiff is primarily about bringing…

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…

Fr John Quinn baptising Lucy Drew Quinn, daughter of Jamie and Enda Quinn, Longford who was one of the first children to be baptised in St Mel’s Cathedral since it re-opened in December following a five-year rebuilding project. Photo: Tiernan Dolan

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…

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

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…