The head of the Catholic Education Partnership has welcomed the dropping of plans for a ‘neutral’ ethics programme at primary level, as a new round of consultation opens. The State previously sought to introduce education about religion and beliefs (ERB), which was supposed to be a neutral approach. “We have long argued this is based…
Month: March 2024
Co. Louth priests threatened with axe in aggravated burglary
Two Co. Louth priests were left traumatised when four raiders broke into their house and confronted them with hammers and an axe on Saturday, March 9. The burglary comes less than a month after the parochial house in Athy, Co. Kildare was burnt down in a suspected arson, while the Diocese of Kerry has had…
Tributes paid for ‘brave’ former RTÉ journalist Charlie Bird
Tributes have poured in following the death of celebrated former RTÉ journalist Charlie Bird, remembered as a “great man” and an example to all those suffering. Following his death aged 74 on Tuesday, Sr Stan said Mr Bird “had faith and that helped him” following his motor neuron disease diagnosis in 2021. “Since he got…
Former Presentation Brothers students wins Oscar
A former Presentation Brothers student Cillian Murphy scooped the best actor award at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10. His old school’s community were delighted for Mr Murphy, with the principal of Presentation Brothers College Cork saying he “absolutely” expects students to be inspired by the Cork man’s Oscar win. The Cork-born actor received the…
Govt must do better for families, carers and those with disabilities
Last Saturday morning at 9am, the counting of votes began on the ‘family’ and ‘care’ referendums held the day before. Soon results started to trickle through from count centres around the country. By 10am political journalists were calling it: it was a No vote in both referendums. Following the announcement of the massive defeat, the…
Risks posed by assisted suicide are ‘enormous’ says doctor
Commenting in response to the recent decision made by the Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Dying to recommend legalising assisted suicide and euthanasia in Ireland, Dr Miriam Colleran, consultant in palliative care at Naas Hospital and a member of the Hope Ireland group, a coalition of medical professionals and disability rights advocates who aim to bring informed perspectives to the…
Viewers in awe of the Capuchin charism
Viewers were left captivated as comedian Tommy Tiernan interviewed Capuchin Franciscan, Br Richard Hendrick on his popular Saturday night talk-show last weekend. The highly praised interview saw the pair discuss the eclectic topics of religion, love and Franciscan brewers. The brother-priest, who lives and works in Dublin, shared with Tommy that he was drawn to…
Don’t overlook ‘the tribe of widows’
There has been, obviously, much discussion about the role of women in the national sphere recently; but one of the groups drawing least attention is what we might call ‘the tribe of widows’. When I was involved, with others, in forming the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement in 1970, the position of widows was one of…
A ‘horrible vision of society’ rejected in Friday’s referenda
The Irish will never want to remove ‘mothers’ from the Constitution, writes David Quinn No-one expected such resounding defeats of the two referendums put before the Irish people by the Government, proposals that were backed by every party in the Dail aside from Aontu with its one TD, and Independent Ireland with its three. The…
Bishops reaffirm commitment to helping asylum seekers – call on Govt to do more to integrate
At their recent Spring Meeting in Maynooth, the Bishops’ Conference highlighted the “exceptional work” being done by parishes, schools and religious communities around the country to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees by extending their hand of friendship but also reminded Government that it must fulfil their commitment to integrate people coming to Ireland. The bishops…

Ruadhán Jones

Chai Brady

Maria Steen
Brandon Scott

Mary Kenny
David Quinn
