Ireland’s experience in tackling clerical child abuse is being acknowledged around the world, according to the CEO of the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church. Teresa Devlin told The Irish Catholic how the board was asked earlier this year to address Australia’s royal commission on institutional abuse and explain the…
Month: August 2017
One third of new priests inspired by Legion of Mary
Five of the 15 men ordained to the priesthood in Ireland this year were inspired in their vocation by the Legion of Mary. Fr John Magner (Cloyne), Fr Liam O’Donovan SAC (Pallottines), Fr Rory Doyle OFM Conv. (Greyfriars), Fr Declan Lohan (Galway) and Fr Philip Mulryne OP (Dominicans) were all members of the Legion of…
GAA star opens up about faith
A former Gaelic footballer has opened up about the importance of his faith, saying he “prays regularly”. Sportsman turned fashion designer, Paul Galvin, who played on the Kerry senior team for over 10 years, spoke about the issue of homelessness in Ireland and the importance of going to Church. Mr Galvin, who is launching a…
Nursing home landlords are not answer to housing crisis – Fr Peter McVerry
An initiative to encourage people in nursing homes to sell or rent their properties won’t be effective, and this group should be the last targeted, according to Fr Peter McVerry. Several actions to deliver homes by utilising empty properties were announced this week by the Department of Housing which includes a ‘Fair Deal’ scheme, in…
WMOF organisers ‘optimistic’ of papal visit to Ireland
The organisers of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin next year are “very hopeful and optimistic” that Pope Francis will attend the event. Fr Timothy Bartlett, the Secretary General for the World Meeting of Families, told The Irish Catholic that the Pontiff “has repeatedly said he wants to be with us and so therefore,…
We need to talk about the strange death of the SDLP
I wish some bright young writer – or some bright older writer, indeed – would produce a book on the theme of ‘The Strange Death of the SDLP’. The collapse of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland is one of the major electoral events, surely, of 2017. It also seems to be…
News in Brief
Aware calls for more volunteers Ireland’s leading mental health organisation, Aware, which provides support for those suffering from depression and bipolar disorder, is asking for 40 more volunteers following a 20% increase in the volume of calls to their support line. With 450,000 people in Ireland living with depression, as well as 45,000 people experiencing…
Grotto stunt aimed at inspiring campaigners
The pro-choice activist who draped a jumper with a Repeal slogan over the altar of a Dublin church, said he did it to inspire “burnt-out” fellow campaigners. Jim Healey, a pro-choice lobbyist, confirmed he took the photo of the jumper on the altar of the grotto outside Mary Immaculate Church in Inichore, Dublin. “I did…
Recent books in brief
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Reformation edited by Peter Marshall (Oxford University Press, £18.99pb RPP) Peter Marshall, the editor of this book, is professor of history at Warwick and on the board of the journal British Catholic History. With six colleagues he provides an approachable résumé, very well illustrated with vivid and relevant images,…
Bishop Alan McGuckian on challenges facing Church
Ireland’s newest bishop – Dr Alan McGuckian SJ – on the challenges facing the Church in Ireland. He was speaking after his episcopal ordination in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Greg Daly
Mags Gargan
Chai Brady


Mary Kenny

Colm Fitzpatrick
