Tuam’s Archbishop Michael Neary has congratulated the stewards and handmaids who serve at Knock shrine in a homily marking 80 years of the Knock Shrine Society. Speaking at Mass during the Knock Novena, Dr Neary praised the “sensitive, effective and eloquent presence” of the stewards and handmaids who minister to pilgrims and invalids. The archbishop,…

Family, friends and parishioners gathered at St Malachy’s Church, Kilclief in Co. Down to mark the first anniversary of Fr Colm McGrady, who died in August 2014 having served as parish priest in Strangford and Kilclief since 2008. Fr Brian Donnelly, a classmate of Fr Colm’s, was the celebrant at the Mass and was joined…

Anti-euthanasia campaigners have called on Ireland’s media to avoid groupthink and follow the example of Britain’s newspapers in facilitating a relatively balanced debate on assisted suicide.  Speaking in advance of a September 11 House of Commons debate on an assisted suicide bill being introduced by Labour MP Robert Marris, Hope Ireland director Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick…

Bishop William Crean has said he was “unable to approve” the invitation to controversial cleric Fr Tony Flannery to give an address in his diocese. The Bishop of Cloyne said the invitation from the Killeagh/Inch parish pastoral council to Fr Flannery was extended in good faith but that he had been “obliged” to inform the…

The founder of the Legion of Mary stands “as a model of robust lay leadership in the Church” according to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. Speaking at Mass in the parish of St Peter’s in Phibsborough, which was followed by the dedication of a room in honour of Frank Duff, Archbishop Martin said the “lack of trust…

Too many people in Ireland are homeless or at risk of homelessness for politicians to be engaged in political point-scoring on the issue, homeless charities have said. Responding to Environment Minister Alan Kelly’s criticisms of local authorities, who he said needed “to step up to the mark” in order to help tackle Ireland’s homelessness crisis,…

Diversifying patronage in the Irish education system could lead to segregation and exclusion, according to the chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection. Dublin Mid-West Labour TD Joanna Tuffy told The Irish Catholic that in her view, “increasing diversity is not a good approach as it doesn’t cater for villages, and…

On Saturday over 1,000 participants took part in the national dawn walk for cancer which involved a 10km journey over Mount Leinster, from The Nine Stones to the picturesque village of Myshall, Co. Carlow.Bishop Denis Nulty, broadcaster Olivia O’Learyand Donal Walsh’s mother Elma took part in the event which was organised by the Irish Cancer…