A Pauline priest has recommended the Faithful watch a new film based on a famous exorcist which was partially filmed in Ireland. However, he adds they should take the “horror aspect” with a grain of salt. Russel Crowe stars in The Pope’s Exorcist which was released in Ireland on Good Friday and is based on…
Parental choice must be respected and schools in the North should not be “scapegoated” as a cause of division, the leader of Aontú has said in a debate on integrated education. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this week, Peadar Tóibín TD said integrated education “is a wonderful component of the education system” but defended the…
The Irish Government is on “a sectarian path” by not including non-Catholic schools in their abuse scoping inquiry, the head of Journalism in Griffith College has said. Dr Niall Meehan welcomed the fact several TDs have raised the issue of non-Catholic schools being left out of the inquiry, most recently by Labour TD Aodhán Ó…
Prayer helps to recognise the richness of religious life despite modern vices, Chai Brady hears Despite a growing secularist culture in Ireland, religious orders are dedicated to finding and cultivating the vocation of those who feel they are called to a life serving the Church’s mission. The attraction of sex, drugs, and alcohol can be…
A former drug addict-turned-counsellor, who shared his experiences with Pope Francis, has warned that any discussion about liberalising drug laws must also focus on the “cocaine-fuelled violence” which is gripping parishes across Ireland. Working out of Cuan Mhuire’s addiction centre in Athy, Co. Kildare, Damian Richardson – who spoke of his experiences of addiction before…
The rector of Knock Shrine has said they were “very happy” to welcome US President Joe Biden as a pilgrim for private prayer, despite his political policy on abortion. President Biden believes abortion is a ‘right’ and has continuously promised to introduce ‘abortion protections’ into US law following the overturning of Roe vs Wade which…
The home of an Aontú election candidate in Newry was targeted with sectarian graffiti, the party announced on Monday. In a statement Aontú said loyalists defaced Sharon Loughran’s property with the words ‘Aontú IRA out’ and ‘UDA’. The incident has been reported to the PSNI. Ms Loughran said: “This has come as a massive shock to…
Knock shrine ‘open to everyone’ the rector tells Chai Brady, after controversial Biden visits for private prayer The worldwide attention Knock Shrine in Co. Mayo received after the visit of US President Joe Biden last week was “incredible”, according to the rector Fr Richard Gibbons. While there was backlash to the visit due to President…
The visit of US President Joe Biden is an opportunity to highlight how Government policy has led to “wrecked families” in rural parishes, according to a Mayo priest. Fr Kieran Holmes in Ballina parish spoke to The Irish Catholic ahead of President Biden’s visit to St Muredach’s Cathedral on April 14, where baptismal records of…
Plans by Government to introduce a free hot meal in primary schools to all children is not a good use of money, according to the director of Social Justice Ireland Fr Sean Healy SMA. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphrey made the announcement after publishing an independent evaluation of the School Meals Programme – which…