Irish bishops have been called to “open the doors” to “vibrant” African priests to re-evangelise Ireland by a bishop from a persecuted diocese in north-east Nigeria. Bishop Oliver Doeme of Maiduguri diocese told The Irish Catholic that Ireland must intensify its devotion to Our Lady to combat “the forces of evil”, after speaking at the All–Ireland…
Irish people should celebrate migrants and asylum seekers and let them know the country would be “poorer without their presence here”, the Archbishop of Dublin has said. Speaking during Ecumenical Bible Week in Dublin City Centre, which ran from May 28-June 4, Archbishop Dermot Farrell spoke about the importance of hope and raised the issue…
Many adults are still learning about and joining the Church despite cultural changes and challenges, writes Chai Brady. The most recent Central Statistics Office (CSO) stats on religious affiliation in Ireland could be pessimistically received considering the large – but foreseeable – decrease in Ireland’s Catholic population. While the 10% drop is significant, from 79%…
The iconic Angelus bell will remain on RTÉ as the broadcaster gears up to unveil a new-look Angelus this week. The launch of the new set of reflective films in RTÉ One’s Angelus slots takes place today, June 1 at 6pm. The six films will run year-round except on Advent and Christmas when there will be two…
Despite “understandable” concerns about housing and homelessness Irish people are still welcoming to asylum seekers particularly when meeting them face to face, a Wicklow-based priest has insisted. Fr Donal Roche PP of Wicklow, Kilbride and Barndarrig told The Irish Catholic a large number of asylum seekers are now living in Wicklow Town but he has…
An Irish missionary who educates Syrian refugees in his school in Tyre has described the failure of Lebanese officials to renew his residency permit for months as “cruel” and called on the Irish Government to intervene. The process requires Rosminian priest Fr William Stuart to submit his passport to ‘General Security’, which means he can’t…
“Polemic and superficial” communications are “particularly worrying” when it comes from Church leadership, including bishops, pastors, and prominent lay leaders,” the Vatican has said in a new pastoral message. In the 20-page pastoral message about the use of social media, the Vatican continued: “These not only cause division in the community but also give permission…
St Teresa’s parish, Donore Avenue in Dublin 8 has unveiled two new stained glass windows commemorating those who died during the Covid-19, at the Feast of Pentecost on May 28. The parish pastoral council worked for 18 months, in conjunction with Abbey Stained Glass Studios in Kilmainham, to design the two windows. They represent aspects…
Outdated language has no place says disability theologian An Irish theologian who advocates for persons living with a disability has said that comments from the Taoiseach describing political opponents as “slow learners” amounts to a slur on people with a learning disability. Dr Liam Waldron described as “completely unacceptable” the Taoiseach’s description of Sinn Féin…
Lay people will increasingly be asked to step up to the plate in one of Ireland’s largest diocese as priest numbers are expected to fall to dramatically. The Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Down and Connor will say this Sunday that “very soon” it’s likely the celebration of a Requiem Mass will “no longer…