The Oxford Handbook of Religion in Modern Ireland, edited by Gladys Daniel and Andrew Holmes (Oxford University Press, £137.50 / €130.00) Readers who are not dismayed by the suggested price of this academic book will find that it provides a wider view of Ireland in contrast to the letter box view provided by the Census of 1926.…
The Diocese of Kerry is in the midst of a two week training service for Parish Pastoral Councils on the decision-making method ‘Conversations in Spirit’, offered by the synodal and pastoral teams. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Diocesan Communications Officer David Sheehan said the training centres around “teaching a method of group conversations based on…
Jerusalem bishop to promote pilgrimage of peace at Knock The Holy Land risks becoming “little more than a Christian theme park” if the persecution of its ancient Christian community is not halted, a senior Catholic charity leader has warned — as a Jerusalem bishop prepares to bring an urgent appeal to Ireland this month. Michael…
Theologian’s 1958 warning proved prophetic, says Irish scholar A little-known article written by a young Joseph Ratzinger in 1958 predicted with striking accuracy the collapse of Catholic practice across the Western world including Ireland, according to one of Ireland’s leading theologians. Fr Vincent Twomey SVD, emeritus professor of moral theology at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth,…
“There are those who say, we shouldn’t be using these machines to produce homilies. Well, have you listened to the average homily on a Sunday? They could do with a bit of improvement,” said Fr Brendan McGuire in conversation with The Irish Catholic, speaking about the positive ways to use AI in developing a homily.…
Parishioners and community members are paying respects online for beloved Galway priest Fr Martin McNamara, who died on May 1. Fr McNamara was ordained in 1962, and served in various parishes until settling as parish priest in Kiltullagh, Killimordaly and Clooncagh from 1986 to 2022. Killimordaly Hurling Club issued a statement on Facebook, where they…
Catholics in rural areas can expect an increase in Eucharistic services led by lay people in the years ahead, the Bishop of Derry has said. “There would certainly have to be,” Bishop Donal McKeown told The Irish Catholic, when asked whether there would be more Eucharistic services, in future, where priests are not available to celebrate…
Thousands gathered in Dublin on Monday for the annual March for Life, with this year’s demonstration focusing on rising abortion numbers and opposition to proposals to remove the three-day waiting period. The event began with Mass at the Newman University Church, where Bishop Kevin Doran of Achonry and Elphin told worshippers: “Once there is a…
Family law proceedings concerning child custody, access, guardianship and childcare matters are currently held in secret under the in-camera rule and that must be reformed according to TD Paul Gogarty who launched a bill and a two-hour debate this week calling on the Minister to enact legislation to replace the current blanket ban on reporting…
The recent inquest findings regarding the “unlawful” killing of five persons by British Soldiers in the Springhill / Westrock area of Belfast on July 9, 1972, is of “great importance”, Bishop Alan McGuckian of Down and Connor told parishioners in Corpus Christi Parish, Ballymurphy, during Mass on May 3. “After more than fifty years, the…
Peter Costello
Martina Purdy
Renata Steffens