A survivor of sexual abuse tells Chai Brady about finding healing in his Catholic Faith For many victims and survivors of abuse by priests or religious, their faith is severely tested or even crippled by what they have experienced. It’s a cruel paradox that those abused were often the most involved in their local…
A Dublin priest who is embracing technology has said parishes that set up online sites facilitating online payments could encourage young people to make donations. Spearheading the Archdiocese of Dublin’s new initiative that allows parishioners to make card payments in Church, Fr John Bracken of Dundrum parish said to further tackle declining donations an online…
Chai Brady looks into Fairtrade Fortnight Unbeknownst to anyone who buys a product in Ireland, they could be seriously negatively impacting and perpetuating the suffering of a person who is being exploited somewhere in the world. It’s well known that in many countries, particularly in developing countries, workers are paid a pittance to work…
A priest who called the British army for help just 30 minutes before he was killed was “taking his life into his own hands without hesitation” to help others, according to Belfast-based Fr Paddy McCafferty. Fr Hugh Mullan, one of the 10 people shot dead during the Ballymurphy Massacre in 1971, had called for assistance…
Children’s Corner Get your children off the couch and away from the TV so they can focus on something much more fun and creative. Making toilet-paper-roll owls is easy and is a great way to make use of something you would otherwise have thrown out. These colourful creations can be kept to decorate anywhere…
Personal Profile Chai Brady speaks to a renowned Catholic academic about his life and Faith “Do not be afraid to be holy” was then Pope John Paul II’s message to pilgrims during World Youth Day in 1989, and that struck a chord with a young man soon to enter seminary. Dr Neil Xavier O’Donoghue,…
There’s been a dramatic decrease in marriage counselling sessions provided by a Catholic agency, with the number of sessions halving in some areas according to new figures. Accord, who provide marriage preparation and counselling services, revealed their 2018 figures this week which show a decrease from 38,881 counselling sessions delivered in 2014 to 24,180 last…
The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore has confirmed “work is in progress” in forming an exorcism team, but is keeping tight lipped about the facts. The priest heading the deliverance team is “still in training” and his identity can’t be revealed according to DCO Fr Liam Power. After a conversation with the bishop he told…
Chai Brady discusses what sustains a marriage St Valentine’s Day is a time many couples spend quality time with each other and focus on their relationship, with care, intimacy and love being key objectives. But what happens when passionate feelings of love become more subdued, when the ‘honeymoon phase’ is long over and married…
Personal Profile Chai Brady hears about what love and hope truly mean Night had just fallen when a Belfast parish priest called an 18-year-old girl to help battle a blazing fire caused by a bombing, living a life devoted to others she immediately responded to the appeal. Sr Patricia Maria Speight FMSA was “haunted”…