An abuse survivor from a Church of Ireland (CoI) setting has said the Government’s scoping inquiry must include CoI schools in order to identify other victims. Kerry Lawless told The Irish Catholic that the scoping inquiry must not only focus on Catholic religious schools, saying: “If there are cases in Protestant schools, then they need…
From Brazil to Ireland: Fr Bortolini Neto with a great devotion to St Patrick, writes Chai Brady Why would a Brazilian man have such a strong connection with Ireland’s patron saint? The answer is easy for priest and musician Fr EmílioBortolini Neto who decided to write his thesis on St Patrick and has recently brought…
Almost 40 years since he was a Jesuit priest studying in Ireland, Pope Francis’ return visit for the World Meeting of Families on August 25, 2018 was highly anticipated. Being in the small crowd of journalists waiting on the airstrip for the arrival of the Pope’s plane – affectionately dubbed by the media ‘Shepherd One’…
Abuse survivors in schools that are not run by the Catholic Church feel “marginalised” and “silenced” because they have not been included in a fresh inquiry into abuse, a campaigner has claimed. It comes after the Government announced that it has appointed a barrister to investigate recent allegations of historic abuse made by former students…
The decision by the Council of Europe to call for full compliance regarding human rights in proposed legislation to deal with the legacy of the Troubles has been welcomed by a well-known human rights professor in Belfast. Professor Colin Harvey, Director of the Human Rights Centre at Queen’s University Belfast told The Irish Catholic that the…
There is “delight” following the decision by the Irish bishops to recommend that 30% of parish grounds be returned to nature by 2030. Jane Mellett, the Laudato Si’ Officer of Trócaire, said that the announcement by the bishops after their spring meeting directly responds to the call of Pope Francis. She said that for parishes…
Music legend Nick Cave has opened up about the role faith has had in dealing with grief after the death of his son Arthur (15) in 2015 and then the death of a second son Jethro (31) last year. Regarding his recent book, which is made up of conversations with music journalist Sean O’Hagan, Faith,…
A charity that advocates for persecuted Christians around the world has warned that there is an increase in Islamist military groups in sub-Saharan Africa violently targeting Christians. Church in Chains recently launched their 4th Global Guide which lists 60 countries where 200 million Christians face persecution because of their faith, this ranges from limited persecution…
There has not been a formal meeting between the Office of the Taoiseach and Church leaders for almost two years, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed in the Dáil. The last meeting took place on April 15, 2021, between then-Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the leaders of the all-island Christian Churches, including the Catholic Church, Church of…
The Oblates are working with vibrant young people from around the world who are attracting Irish youth, Chai Brady hears Ireland’s increasing secularism is making it difficult for people to not only understand the call to priesthood but the overall Christian way of life, according to a Dublin-based Oblate. Hailing from Mexico City, Fr Eduardo…