A Dublin parish has been forced to take down an LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) Pride flag after an order from the archbishop of Dublin. The flag was raised at Ballyfermot Assumption parish after a decision by the parish pastoral council. The aim was to make LGBTQ people feel welcome, and to send a…
The Church cannot be driven by responses to “secular issues” as this allows its agenda to be set by others and not Christ. Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry said in a homily at St Eugene’s Cathedral on Sunday that debates about human rights may be interesting subjects, but “Jesus calls us to cross over and…
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference have announced the appointment of Dr Nicola Brady as chair of the synodal steering committee, which will help lead the way towards Ireland’s national synod. The bishops said they decided to establish the synodal steering committee and a synodal task group to help move forward the synodal pathway process for Ireland…
Efforts to address a controversial policy in the North which denies a family child benefit for a third or subsequent child is being delayed due to political turmoil between the DUP and Sinn Féin, according to a law professor in the University of Ulster. The two-child limit came into effect on April 6, 2017 and…
A fundraising campaign has begun for a new sensory and play garden for 32 children with severe intellectual disabilities, with the director of the charity behind the push saying it will “make a real difference”. Speaking about ‘Project Eden’, the director of Respect, Sr Zoe Killeen said: “We greatly appreciate any support that people can…
The first conviction under current human trafficking legislation has been welcomed as “historic” by a charity that supports women affected by prostitution. Ruhama CEO, Barbara Condon said last week’s judgement in Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court is “undoubtedly historic and we greatly welcome the verdict”. She said the charity’s caseworkers had worked “tirelessly” with the women involved…
Co. Clare priest Fr Ger Nash (62) has said it is “exciting to be asked to take a leadership role” after Pope Francis appointed him as the new bishop of the Diocese of Ferns last week. He will be taking over from Bishop Denis Brennan. Bishop-elect Nash said he looked forward to walking with the…
Religious families in the North could be disproportionately affected by the two-child policy, writes Chai Brady A decision to deny child welfare supports for the third or subsequent children born into families struggling financially may have gone unnoticed in the south of the island, but it is causing “deeper poverty” in the North, according to…
Children’s Corner Not many people have had the opportunity to majestically descend through the air at jaw-dropping heights with a parachute. It certainly isn’t for someone with a fear of heights! It can be defined as a device that slows the vertical descent of something falling through the atmosphere. Reports of parachutes date back to…
Pope Francis has appointed Co. Clare priest Fr Ger Nash (62) as the new bishop of the Diocese of Ferns, taking the reins from Bishop Denis Brennan. After this morning’s announcement, Bishop-elect Nash said he looked forward to walking with the people and parish communities throughout the diocese of Ferns “as we respond to that…