Spiritan Bishop Maurice Piat from Mauritius, who studied for the priesthood in Ireland and Rome in the 1960s, said that he first heard the news of his recent nomination as cardinal when a friend phoned to congratulate him. He didn’t believe it.  Asked by a journalist what he thought his elevation meant, Bishop Maurice said…

John Reid The Government has been urged to provide more resources to ensure that a huge backlog in child protection vetting does not continue to hamper local schools. Educators have complained that the current system, while entirely welcome in its aim of safeguarding children, is at risk of defeating its purpose as massive delays are being…

“More is needed” in helping the Travelling community to overcome the prejudice they suffer, a priest working with the community has said. Speaking during a memorial Mass for the first anniversary of the Carrickmines tragedy, in which 10 people died, Fr Derek Farrell, parish priest to the Travelling People said the devastating event should have…

On October 3, St Patrick’s College Maynooth conferred on Sr Margaret Casey RSM of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy an honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of the immense contribution of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy to education and health and for their work in creating a more compassionate…

A Galway priest presented Pope Francis with a crucifix made from Connemara marble when he met the Pontiff in the Azerbaijan capital Baku, The Irish Catholic has learned. Fr Raymond Flaherty of Headford parish was on pilgrimage with 11 others from the Archdiocese of Tuam to the reputed site of the martyrdom of St Bartholomew…

Bishop Smith pays tribute to Irish Columbans Bishop Michael Smith of Meath has hailed the courageous witness of the Society of St Columban on the centenary of its founding.  Following a special Mass on October 10 at the Columbans’ headquarters at Dalgan Park, Co. Meath, Bishop Smith welcomed moves by the Catholic Church in Korea to promote the beatifications of seven…

A Dublin conference aimed towards doctors and lawyers is to explore the issues of abortion and mental health in a balanced way, organisers say, despite promotional material suggesting that a prominent pro-choice advocate will be the conference’s sole speaker. The November 17 Abortion & Mental Health Conference “will deliver a balanced discussion covering the various…

A ‘Sunday school’ model of catechesis could play a key role in helping parishes raise young people in the Faith, Limerick’s Bishop Brendan Leahy has said. The bishop told The Irish Catholic that while good work has been done in the Irish Church since the introduction five years ago of ‘Share the Good News’, the…

Famed Irish poet Brendan Kennelly has said he prays the Rosary every day and loves the “music of prayer”. Ahead of events to mark his 80th year, Kennelly was the subject of a broad-ranging interview on RTÉ Radio, during which he spoke of his roots in Co. Kerry, his calling as a poet and the…