Bishop Donal Roche, in an interview with Garry O’Sullivan, describes a love for the priesthood, and reflects on a way of life that is mixed in hope and a sense of fear for what comes next. So I asked you to reflect on Relentless Ministry, what are your thoughts? I don’t find ministry relentless, personally.…
Month: March 2025
Sacred liturgy being eroded by ‘golf balls and fishing rods’
Priests increasingly demoralised by uncommitted Catholics’ lack of appreciation for sacred – Bishop The sacredness of the liturgy is being eroded by people who don’t understand it and want to personalise it, and this is demoralising priests, according to Bishop Donal Roche, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin. Speaking to The Irish Catholic as a contributor…
Government gives €2.3M to international abortion provider
The Department of Foreign Affairs has provided €2.3 million to the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) between 2019 and 2024, Minister for Foreign Affairs Neale Richmond has confirmed. Carol Nolan TD recently questioned Minister Richmond regarding the impact of Ireland’s abortion legislation since its legalisation in 2018. Ireland now aligns with the “European Union’s position…
TDs bash bill seeking removal of ‘God’ from judicial oath
A bill introduced last week which aims to change the Constitution and remove the oath to God judges must take has been criticised by TDs. It was introduced by Fine Gael’s Barry Ward TD of Dún Laoghaire and to fully pass would require a referendum. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Carol Nolan TD of Laois-Offaly…
Outreach push planned for PSNI Catholic recruits
The Catholic Police Guild of Northern Ireland are planning a new outreach push in schools before the end of the academic year to tackle the low numbers of Catholics joining the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The Catholic Guild has received funds under the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund for an outreach programme…
An opportunity to slow down
The Spanish Camino has undoubtedly been the European tourism phenomenon of the 21st century. Seeking meaning beyond materialism and recourse, for a time at least, to a freer and less controlled way of living, the numbers completing this mystical Spanish trail have risen from fewer than 100 in 1967 to almost 500,000 in 2024. This…
Ireland’s oldest woman had strong faith says family
Born on New Year’s Eve in 1915, at Sandy Row, Ruby Druce was 109 years and 80 days old and was Ireland’s oldest person before her death. Martin Harran, the husband of Ruby’s niece Carmel, with whom Ruby spent the final eight months of her life, told the The Irish Catholic that Ruby’s faith was…
600 students gather in Malahide to venerate Blessed Carlo Acutis
Over 600 schoolchildren and teenagers gathered at St Sylvester’s Parish, Malahide, for a grace-filled day honouring Bl. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint set to be canonised on April 27. Mary-Aoife and Séamus Ong from Carlo Acutis Ireland shared moving testimonies about Carlo’s deep love for the Eucharist, inspiring young hearts to follow his example…
The battle for a vision of society
Last weekend, a conference was held in the Clayton Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin, hosted by the Life Institute, Family and Solidarity, and Doctors for Life on the issue of assisted suicide. All around the world, there are moves to introduce assisted suicide, and Ireland is no different. Last year, a majority of TDs voted in…
Young people not negative towards Church -Bishop Roche
“Most young people today don’t have a lot of negativity towards the Church , they might actually be more curious about what the Church is offering,” Bishop Donal Roche told The Irish Catholic. Bishop Roche is an auxiliary bishop in the Dublin Archdiocese and is charged with visiting the priests and laity of the parishes…