Dear Editor, I am writing to express my reservations about the decision of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference to advocate for the decriminalisation of drug possession for personal use [The Irish Catholic – July 6, 2023]. While I understand the intention to address the complexities of drug addiction and support individuals, I believe this approach…
Many of us in Ireland would remember from times past a family member serving overseas with the Church—an aunt, uncle, brother or sister who would share stories of their missionary work while back home every few years on leave. But did you know that there are still hundreds of Irish missionaries working around the world,…
Chai Brady, Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Hundreds of young Irish Catholics attending World Youth Day in Portugal have been urged to return home as missionaries and rebuild youth ministry, which was deeply impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Approximately 1,500 young people from Ireland will be involved in official pilgrimages to World Youth Day in…
Ireland has once again been overlooked by Pope Francis as no Irish prelate was tipped to become a cardinal. The Pope announced over the weekend that he will hold a consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals at the end of September, saying the choices express “the universality of the Church”. There are currently…
Vatican publishes schedule for papal trip to Mongolia Pope Francis’ visit to Mongolia August 31-September 4 will make him the first pope to visit this Asian nation, which is home to one cardinal and some 1,300 Catholics. The focus of the visit will be encounters with leaders of government and civil society and meetings with…
Blessed Michael McGivney was honoured in the US after seven parishes in New Haven, Connecticut, were merged July 1 into one parish, which was then named after him. The founder of the Knights of Columbus was born to Irish immigrant parents, Patrick and Mary McGivney, who settled in Connecticut in the US. Fr Ryan Lerner,…
Fr Séamus Murphy SJ The Government invited submissions to its Public Consultation on International Security Policy. Neutrality is on the menu. What does Catholic Social Teaching (CST) have to offer Irish Catholics as they reflect? CST’s values of peace, common goods, solidarity, respect for human dignity and rights, and preferential concern for the poor and…
Pope Francis has named 21 new cardinals, announcing the names after his recitation of the Angelus with the Faithful in St Peter’s Square July 9. He said he would formally install the cardinals during a special consistory at the Vatican September 30. The new cardinals represent more than a dozen countries on five continents. Three…
Sofia Zate After 28 years in media, former Highland Radio host Shaun Doherty has traded the microphone for the pulpit. Fr Doherty was ordained in St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry earlier this month after six years of formation. Fr Doherty served as the host of the popular Shaun Doherty Show on Highland Radio, broadcasting to…
The Colombian Bishops’ Conference (CEC) will formally collaborate in the search for disappeared persons as a result of the guerrilla warfare in the country. Their remains could be in common graves or buried in cemeteries but without having been identified. In Latin America, someone who “was disappeared” means that the person was kidnapped and very…