Just 200 of the existing 3,300 primary schools would be needed to serve parents who want a non-religious education for their children, it has been claimed. Secretary of the Church of Ireland Board of Education, Dr Ken Fennelly, said figures from the Central Statistics Office, seen by The Irish Catholic, indicated that 27,238 parents with…
Cathal Barry
Border towns at risk of prostitution ‘scourge’, Dromore bishop warns
Bishop John McAreavey has called on the Government to bring laws on prostitution in the South in line with the law in the North. The Bishop of Dromore warned that failure to do so would result in prostitution becoming a “scourge” in border towns such as Dundalk, Monaghan or Letterkenny. “What you will find is…
Limerick synod to tackle major issues facing the Church
A number of major themes have been selected for the diocesan synod next year, writes Cathal Barry
Keeping your diet on the right track
Eating healthily while traveling can be a real challenge. Regardless of whether the trip is for business or pleasure, it’s always difficult to stay ‘on track’ when you’re out of your daily routine. I’ve encountered such struggles on my travels back and forth to Rome recently to cover the Synod on the Family. Littered with…
Kerry TD warns against ‘watering down’ Angelus
An independent TD has accused RTÉ of “watering down” its longstanding presentation of the Angelus. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae criticised “any change in the way the Angelus is presented” following the broadcaster’s major revamp of the twice daily minute-long reflection. Noting that the Angelus had been aired “for decades”, Mr Healy-Rae warned that “any watering…
Christ’s Baptism
Jesus spoke of his Passion as a Baptism which he had to receive, writes Cathal Barry
Former Ireland rugby star ‘toyed’ with pursuing a religious vocation
Damien Varley speaks out about his faith
Rural garda station closures an ‘appalling stupidity’ – priest
A well-known priest has described as an “appalling stupidity” the closure of rural garda stations, claiming that the decision has led to a rise in crime in isolated parts of the country. Fr Micheál MacGréil also warned that the improved network of motorways in Ireland has been a contributing factor to the rise in rural…
Primate opposes local decision making power on Church teaching
Ireland’s most senior Churchman has rejected calls for more decision-making power about Church teaching to be given to local bishops’ conferences. Archbishop Eamon Martin also said he struggles to envisage how the Church could lift its ban on Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics while remaining faithful to its teachings on marriage and the Eucharist.…
‘Mistake’ to overlook abuse – Primate
Archbishop Eamon Martin tells Cathal Barry why he chose to tackle the issue of abuse at the Synod of Bishops