Bishop Kevin Doran has criticised employers who impose ‘zero-hour’ contracts on their staff. The Bishop of Elphin said the practise was “designed to give all the advantage and flexibility to the employer (or to capital) at the expense of the person who actually brings the greatest value to the work”. So-called ‘zero-hour’ contracts involve workers…
Cathal Barry
State to cover for schools for election day accidents
The head of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) has welcomed a move by the State Claims Agency to provide insurance for schools used as polling stations. Fr Tom Deenihan told The Irish Catholic that Catholic schools “have always been happy to offer their schools, which are mostly built on private property, for this…
Secondary school finances at ‘crisis point’
A senior Church figure in education has warned that the financial burden on the country’s secondary schools is at “crisis point”. Fr Paul Connell of the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) said “the combination of decreasing departmental support and the increasing inability of our parents to financially support us is proving crippling”. “The question of equalisation…
The consecrated life
In the Church, the consecrated life is seen as a special sign of the mystery of redemption, writes Cathal Barry
Fianna Fáil urge ‘tolerant’ approach to Accord funding
Fianna Fáil has urged the Government to take a more “tolerant” approach to Catholic marriage counselling if the referendum on same-sex marriage passes. Party leader Micheál Martin told The Irish Catholic there “will always be different organisations coming to a particular issue from a particular ethos or a particular tradition”. “We are in a tolerant…
It’s important to top up your diet with vitamins
Obstetricians have been calling for a major public health campaign to remind pregnant women of the importance of taking folic acid to prevent birth defects. The call has been made in response to research which shows a rise in the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida, which are largely preventable through the…
The lay faithful
Lay people are at the front line of Church life, writes Cathal Barry
Founding intentions
A new process is being developed to assist Catholic schools rediscover their distinctiveness, writes Cathal Barry
PLC welcomes FF support for Eighth Amendment
The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has welcomed Fianna Fail’s decision to affirm its commitment to a pro-life policy and oppose any attempts to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Fianna Fáil members passed a motion at the party’s Ard Fheis at the weekend opposing any repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Article 40.3.3), which provides…
Fine Gael will not give assurances that Accord State funding is safe
Fine Gael has refused to give assurances that Catholic marriage counselling would not have funding withdrawn if the referendum on same-sex marriage passes. Currently, Accord, a Church-run marriage preparation and counselling agency, receives funds from the State through the Family Support Agency and Health Service Executive. However, concerns have been raised in the organisation that…