The pause caused by coronavirus restrictions might be a moment to look again at how we celebrate important rites of passage in the Faith, writes Chai Brady The Government advice that Confirmation and First Holy Communion ceremonies should not be part of the plans when parishes re-open for public worship of May 10 creates quite…
The Archdiocese of Dublin and religious orders have criticised Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown council regarding a new plan which would limit the development of housing in the local authority area. The Dominican Sisters said the new zoning “discriminates against religious” and was “unacceptable” in a submission to the council. “There are 4,500 people on the housing list in…
The Northern Ireland Assembly has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism despite opposition from Sinn Féin and People Before Profit. The DUP’s motion to adopt the definition was backed by members of the Assembly last week, a move which brings them in line with dozens of other countries. Sinn Féin proposed…
There’s a need to tackle, in particular, online anti-Semitic conspiracies which connect Jewish people to the pandemic, writes Chai Brady Antisemitism has existed in some form or other for 3,000 years and has taken many different shapes since then, some attacks on the Jewish people are obvious and easily recognised while others are more subliminal…
A Cork-man who is the Pope’s representative in Burkino Faso has extended his “deepest sympathies” after a Zambian-born Irish citizen was killed by terrorists in the African country. Conservationist Rory Young, co-founder and president of anti-poaching organisation Chengeta Wildlife was killed on Monday while leading a wildlife protection patrol in Arly National Park, He was…
A Dublin priest has criticised remarks made by Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe, who said the Church should use the proceeds of a 2019 land sale to build social housing rather than the likes of pastoral initiatives. Fr John Gilligan PP said: “Politicians need to be realistic. It’s easy to throw out these cheap shots…
TDs have rallied around a Tipperary priest who questioned why parishes haven’t received financial support from Government despite their direction to move services online. Fr Michael Toomey PP of Ardfinnan and Newcastle told The Irish Catholic he spent €5,000 setting up webcams to broadcast services to his parishioners in the churches in his parish. He…
The chair of the task force established by Archbishop Dermot Farrell has said there will be an emphasis on pastoral initiatives aimed at “animating parishes”. Msgr Ciaran O’Carroll of Donnybrook parish, chairperson of the ‘Task Force on a Church for the Dublin of Tomorrow’ which comes under the title ‘Building Hope’, said it is “exciting”.…
There was “great excitement” among families as 68 schoolchildren received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Clogher over the weekend. The children of Aghalurcher parish in Lisnaskea/Maguiresbridge, Co. Fermanagh, were some of the first to receive the Sacrament in the diocese this year. Fr Jimmy McPhillips PP told The Irish Catholic: “We are…
A lack of volunteers makes it difficult for Apostolic Work to keep up with demand for Mass kits destined for beleaguered parishes, writes Chai Brady Despite the number of parishes involved in making materials for celebrating Mass in impoverished countries dropping in Dublin by almost 90%, there are still dedicated members of Apostolic Work helping…