Archbishop Eamon Martin elected to key role Michael Kelly in Rome Pope Francis has warned Church leaders that the entire Catholic world is looking to a Vatican summit this week for decisive action on abuse. Addressing the meeting on the protection of minors at the Vatican this morning (Thursday) the Pontiff told bishops and…
Month: February 2019
Vatican summit opens with acknowledgment of evil committed
Opening the Vatican summit on child protection and the clerical sexual abuse crisis, Pope Francis said, “The holy people of God are watching and are awaiting from us not simple, predictable condemnations, but concrete and effective measures” to stop abuse. The February 21-24 summit meeting has brought together almost 190 Church leaders: the presidents of…
Plea that abuse not be used as ‘political football’
Exclusive Ahead of an unprecedented summit on abuse opening in the Vatican this morning (Thursday), Archbishop Eamon Martin has rejected the idea that the abuse scandals can be attributed to priests who are gay. Speaking exclusively to The Irish Catholic, Dr Martin also insisted that the Church has to do a lot more research…
Help parishioners aid refugees, bishop urges
Parishioners need to be helped welcome refugees into their communities and cannot simply be taken for granted, Elphin’s Bishop Kevin Doran has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic after the publication of a joint statement with Bishop Francis Duffy of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Dr Doran said “our responsibilities as a nation under international law, and…
Was Nora too nice for politics?
I was sorry to learn of the death of Limerick’s Nora Bennis on February 11, aged 78. Nora had been a defender of a woman’s right to be a homemaker, founding the Irish Mothers Working at Home Association as well as leading the Solidarity Movement which supported family and Faith values. She stood for election to…
Reducing marriage step by step
The Government is set to erode the status of marriage even more, writes David Quinn Ireland is set to have another divorce referendum this year. It is to take place on May 24, the same day as the Local and European Elections. You might be surprised that we are to vote on divorce again.…
Church will work to unite, even if border divides – bishop
The Church in the North will continue to resist efforts to divide the community even if a hard border follows a no-deal Brexit, Derry’s Bishop Donal McKeown has said. Speaking against the background of a UNESCO-backed report that claims young people in the North would be groomed into violence by extremist and terrorist organisations following…
Shutting out those who would cherish and protect human life
The View In the aftermath of last May’s referendum, there has been a dearth of pro-life commentators on radio and TV broadcasts to discuss the implementation of the new abortion laws. But ignoring those who represent a third of the voting public is not enough for those in journalistic circles who influence what we…
A rise within a fall
Accord’s marriage preparation figures may be dropping, but this disguises an increase in its importance, writes Greg Daly 2018 saw a continuing year-on-year drop in numbers of people attending sacramental preparation courses offered by Accord, the Catholic marriage care service, but as usual it’s worth getting behind the headline figures. On the face of things,…
Churches sinking over dwindling contributions, bishop warns laity
Colm Fitzpatrick and Greg Daly Parishioners must play a more active role in keeping their local churches afloat, Waterford and Lismore’s bishop Phonsie Cullinan has warned. Dr Cullinan said that lay people are called to be involved in and support the Church which at a “very nuts and bolts” level requires financial contribution in their local parish. His…

Michael Kelly

Chai Brady
Greg Daly
Mary Kenny
David Quinn

Maria Steen

