The 15th annual report on the implementation of the US bishops’ ‘Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People’ shows a decrease in allegations of clergy sex abuse from the two previous years. It also indicates the need for continued vigilance since charges were raised by more than 650 adults and 24 minors. The…
Attacks on the Church in the aftermath of the abortion referendum are misplaced, a yes-voting senator has said. Speaking in the Seanad last week, Senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell said while she had voted to repeal Ireland’s constitutional protections for the unborn, talk of how “we will batter” the Church should cease. “I was educated and minded…
Wisdom at the Crossroads: The Life and Thought of Michael Paul Gallagher SJ by Thomas G. Casey SJ (Messenger Publications, €12.95) Anthony Redmond The well-known writer, educator and theologian, Fr Michael Paul Gallagher SJ died from cancer on November 6, 2015. He was a brilliant, kind gentleman in the true sense of the word. I had…
WMOF2018 Brenda Drumm The Amoris Parish Programme has concluded, plans are advanced and dates have been selected for the last few diocesan and parish family gatherings and, with the exception of the local opening for WMOF2018 in each diocese on August 21, all eyes are now on Dublin for the five days on the…
A Wexford priest has warned public about the many hazards related to water he sees each summer as temperatures rise. Fr Tom Dalton, volunteer at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) highlighted the need to be vigilant around water which can often appear safe but is actually very dangerous. “The thing about our coastline is…
A new Vatican document cautions against the dangers of highly competitive children’s sports, political and economic pressures on athletes to win “at all costs” and the unsportsmanlike or violent behaviour of fans. The document on sports also calls on every group or institution sponsoring sports programmes to have expert-guided child protection policies in place and…
A fund for an Irish priest who was beaten, shot and robbed as a missionary in Peru earlier this year has been set up to recoup the stolen parish money used to pay workers. Columban Fr Gerry Desmond was attacked in Lima in April while returning from a local bank to pay the wages of…
Sea it to believe it! Ireland’s national maritime festival, SeaFest, will be returning to Galway Harbour from June 29 to July 1, and will be covering everything sea-related and will also have something for all ages. The programme of events includes a seafood fair, seafood cookery demonstrations with celebrity chefs and seafaring family fun. There…
The Notebook Fr Vincent Sherlock I remember as a child, having a small plastic wallet with a religious medal inside and a printed card which read: “I am a Catholic, in case of accident, please notify a priest”. I don’t know where I got it but I remember having it. The message was clear.…
Tipperary charity offering bereavement support Anam Cara Tipperary, an organization that assists bereaved parents will be hosting its monthly meeting on Monday, June 18. Anam Cara provides a safe and comfortable space where bereaved parents can connect with others who understand the depth of their grief and loss. Anam Cara CEO Sharon Vard has encouraged bereaved parents to attend…