UK religious writer applies for Irish nationality

A veteran religious writer has applied for Irish citizenship after renouncing his UK citizenship this week in protest at Britain leaving the European Union (EU). Scotland born John Cooney holds the distinction of being the only journalist who has been the Religious Affairs Correspondent of the Irish Times and the Irish Independent. His books include…

PSNI aim to recruit more Catholic Officers

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has opened a recruitment campaign this week which bids to increase its number of Catholic officers. The PSNI is looking for 600 trainees to reach full complement and address the under-representation of Catholics in the force. At present only 32% of the 6,848 police officers in Northern Ireland…

Legend Kobe at Mass hours before his death

NBA basketball legend Kobe Bryant reportedly attended Mass just hours before his death in a tragic accident on Sunday, January 26. Mr Bryant, a devout Catholic, was killed along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other passengers in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. He was on his way to the Mamba Sports Academy…

‘Hell on earth’ could repeat itself, Tomi warns

Tomi Reichental says his experience of the Holocaust was “hell on earth” and fears history may “repeat itself” with the migrant crisis and the rise of populist politics in Europe. The Irish-based 85-year-old survivor drew comparisons of Jews being taken to Nazi concentration camps to refugees being displaced around the continent. He said: “When we…

Knock film to Premiere in Vatican

A film documenting the 1879 Apparition at Knock, Co. Mayo will have its first screening in the Vatican next week. The film titled Hope, which was written, produced and directed by Co Down native Campbell Miller, will be shown in the Film Vacticana on Monday, January 27. Miller’s feature recreates the August 21, 1879 apparition…

Fr Ray wary of last dance saloon

Fr Ray Kelly survived the first elimination from RTÉ1’s Dancing with the Stars at the weekend, despite posting the lowest score on the night. His ch-cha-cha dance with Kylee Vincent to ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ by Michael Buble, which featured a cameo from comedian Des Bishop, scored a six. Of the judging panel, Brian Redmond gave…