Over one million Trócaire boxes will be delivered to homes and schools across Ireland this week in order to raise funds for vulnerable people globally. The charity’s Lenten campaign is Ireland’s largest fundraiser and saw €8.5m donated last year. This year’s campaign focuses upon the Koroma family in Freetown, Sierra Leone, who were affected by…
Despite a Supreme Court ruling that the ban on asylum seekers working is unconstitutional, Bishop Kevin Doran has warned that the Government’s minimalist approach to the ruling will mean very few people in direct provision will benefit. Bishop Kevin Doran welcomed the court’s decision, but said it was “disappointing” that the Government’s interim arrangement puts…
Many Catholics feel they have to keep their heads down because their faith attracts criticism from the dominant culture, the Papal Nuncio has warned. Archbishop Jude Okolo told a gathering in Galway in the weekend that it was also disappointing that the media tends to focus on negativity – particularly when it comes to reporting…
Ireland’s rising rents are “like a fever”, Focus Ireland has said, calling for the Government to implement rules effectively. Commenting on a DAFT report revealing average national rents to be €1,227 per month, with rents on the rise nationwide, Focus Ireland Advocacy Director Mike Allen said Ireland’s housing system is “truly dysfunctional”. “These massive rent…
Nell McCafferty made an apt point when she participated in a discussion celebrating the centenary of the women’s vote on last weekend’s Sunday with Miriam. There was, Nell pointed out, a connection between pregnancy and housing – between mothers being able to celebrate a pregnancy and welcome a baby because they are in possession of…
The Divine Mercy Conference is about bringing God’s mercy to the world, writes Greg Daly “Divine Mercy has been top of the agenda for the last three Popes,” says Don Devaney, organiser of the Divine Mercy Conference that will see thousands gather in Dublin’s RDS this weekend. “They recognised that God’s mercy is for…
Few people have considered how communities and nations actually tolerate and encourage human trafficking, particularly as it relates to prostitution, Pope Francis has said. Modern forms of slavery “are far more widespread than previously imagined, even within the most prosperous of our societies”, the Pontiff said during a meeting with an international group of law…
DCU helps those in direct provision reach third-level, Chai Brady writes After being tortured in Africa and escaping to Ireland, an asylum seeker’s prayers were answered when he was accepted into university on his birthday. Shepherd Machayah lives in a Direct Provision centre in Portlaoise, and was “very, very worried” that his application to…
Urgent international action must be taken to protect Christians as attacks including beatings and torture continue to rise exponentially in India, an Irish charity has warned. Knife attacks, extortion, battery and arson were just some of the crimes highlighted by Church in Chains, who have issued a briefing document to the Government detailing what is…
Fr Dermot Meehan has been elected Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry, following last Sunday’s installation of Bishop Brendan Kelly as the new Bishop of Galway, Kilfenora and Kilmacduagh. Fr Meehan, who will continue in his ministry as parish Priest of Swinford, Co. Mayo, will now be responsible for the day-to-day running of the diocese and will represent it at plenary meetings of the Irish Episcopal Conference in Maynooth. The Diocese of Achonry, which includes parts of counties Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo, has a Catholic population of 34,826 and 30 active priests, consists of 23 parishes and 48 churches
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick
Mary Kenny
Greg Daly