Tánaiste Micheál Martin has called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of a Nicaraguan bishop who was sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment after refusing to leave the country for exile insisting he wanted to be with his people. Mr Martin said he was “gravely concerned” about Bishop Rolando Álvarez (56) and the wider crackdown in…
Pope Francis appointed a new papal nuncio to Ireland over the weekend, following the previous nuncio’s posting to Czechia last year. Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor was the papal nuncio to Columbia but will now take the diplomatic reins in Ireland. He succeeds Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo who appointed 12 bishops in his five-year term. Archbishop Montemayor…
Bible-based baby names are still proving very popular in Ireland with the top three boys’ names for babies registered in 2022 being biblical. The three most popular boys’ names were Jack, Noah and then James. Jack has held the top spot since 2007, with the exception of 2016, when James was the most popular name.…
The trailer for a new film about the famous Italian exorcist Fr Gabriele Amorth has been released, part of which was filmed in Ireland. Starring Russell Crowe as Fr Amorth, The Pope’s Exorcist will be released in the US next month. The Irish Catholic understands an Irish priest was consulted during the making of the…
Tributes have poured in for the Irish-born Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles David O’Connell who was shot dead in his home. The 69-year-old Cork native was a well-known community peacemaker who spent decades ministering in areas afflicted by poverty and gang violence. Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin said the “tragic death” has sent…
Well-known Christian psychologist and political commentator Dr Jordan Peterson has criticised a video which advises Irish teachers what to do when pupils want to identify as the opposite gender. Taking to Twitter, Dr Peterson told his 3.9 million followers that the content of the video used by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) was “faux…
An Irish priest continues to deliver education to vulnerable children amidst economic and political collapse, writes Chai Brady Contending with a dysfunctional government and effectively non-existent banking system is a struggle for the average Lebanese person, particularly the poor, but it’s refugee children who are consistently pushed further into marginalisation and poverty. The Lebanese lira…
The Church’s mission is to care for the vulnerable and stand against a culture that seeks to make euthanasia socially acceptable, according to the auxiliary bishop of Armagh. In response to Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of the Sick, which takes place on February 11, Bishop Michael Router said that for some, “illness…
Some churches should consider hiring security guards as parishioners must feel safe when worshipping, Chai Brady hears Parishes in inner city Dublin have expressed concern about the extent of open drug dealing and violent crime on the streets which has created a “menacing” atmosphere in communities. Challenging areas Priests in challenging areas across Dublin told…
EXCLUSIVE Many members of religious orders say they feel “hurt and dismayed” that a new initiative designed to promote vocations will not include them and only promote diocesan priesthood, The Irish Catholic has been told. It is understood that many religious congregations feel that the ‘Year of Vocations’, which is due to begin on April…