The parish priest in Rory McIlroy’s hometown of Holywood in Co. Down has hailed the golfer following his historic victory in the US Masters, describing him as “a really great kid and very caring in every respect”. Fr Stephen McBrearty told The Irish Catholic he mentioned McIlroy at every Mass over the weekend before he…
The real meaning of Easter has disappeared into a cataclysmic, calorific extravagance of chocolate eggs, George Hook tells Chai Brady In the ever-evolving landscape of Irish Catholicism, few voices articulate the generational shifts with the same candour as George Hook. A veteran broadcaster and commentator, Mr Hook’s reflections on faith, culture, and national identity are…
Veteran broadcaster Paul Clark speaks to Chai Brady about Easter, assisted suicide, women’s potential, and the meaning of journalism. For more than five decades, Paul Clark has been a familiar face and voice in the North of Ireland. Behind the calm presence on screen is a man whose life is anchored not only in journalism,…
On the eve of his retirement, Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry has said in future there will not be a priest in every parish and the faithful must embrace a faith sustained “by committed lay people”. The bishop’s 75th birthday lands on April 12, when he must submit his resignation to the Pope. Reflecting on…
Bishop Donal McKeown has spent his life walking with the faithful of the North of Ireland, through conflict and peace, through shifting cultural landscapes, and now through the changing face of the Church. As he approaches retirement, his reflections are not those of a man looking backward, but of one still sowing seeds for the…
Housing crisis is driving youth leaving care to drugs and prison Children leaving State care face spiralling into crime and addiction due to an inability to find housing, with the situation getting “definitely worse” according to campaigners. The Peter McVerry Trust is supporting dozens of young adults who turn 18 and leave State care…
A bill introduced last week which aims to change the Constitution and remove the oath to God judges must take has been criticised by TDs. It was introduced by Fine Gael’s Barry Ward TD of Dún Laoghaire and to fully pass would require a referendum. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Carol Nolan TD of Laois-Offaly…
The Catholic Police Guild of Northern Ireland are planning a new outreach push in schools before the end of the academic year to tackle the low numbers of Catholics joining the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The Catholic Guild has received funds under the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund for an outreach programme…
Knock Shrine will officially launch its new €1.5m ‘Youth Village’ on June 14, providing a dedicated space for young people to gather, reflect, and take part in retreat programmes, the rector has said The village consists of ten accommodation pods, each designed for two people. According to Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine, the…
The national launch of the ‘Ministry of Catechist’ is expected this September with a six-month preparation phase before candidates enter formal formation in 2026, The Irish Catholic has learned. Dr Alexander O’Hara, who was the National Director for Catechetics until a few weeks ago told The Irish Catholic the role is a formal lay ministry…