A new ‘camino’ style 22km pilgrim walk is being launched in Downpatrick by St Patrick Centre, the only permanent exhibition in the world dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint. New pilgrim guides, Martina Purdy, former BBC political correspondent, and former barrister, Elaine Kelly will lead pilgrims along St Patrick’s Way, visiting seven locations, from July 1.…
Ireland’s recently won seat on the United Nations Security Council can be an opportunity to “leverage” the council to support persecuted Christians, according to Aid to the Church in Need Ireland (ACN). Last week it was announced that Ireland secured enough votes, along with Norway, to win a two-year non-permanent seat. Dr Michael Kinsella, Director…
Chai Brady speaks to a widow coping with grief and single parenthood When a freak tornado took a woman’s husband leaving her to raise her two young children by herself, faith, family and her writing helped her through the isolation and sorrow. Ohio-born and bred, Shannon Savage told The Irish Catholic that despite the…
While hopes had been high that pilgrims could return in late July, Fr La Flynn of Lough Derg has confirmed that the traditional three-day pilgrimage will not take place this summer. It is the first time since 1828 that the pilgrimage has been suspended with organisers conceding that the nature of the pilgrimage involves close…
Catholics have been urged to fight any proposal to weaken Catholic schools after the Programme for Government published this week proposed a citizens’ assembly on the future of education. Theologian Dr John Murray of Dublin City University told The Irish Catholic that he would be concerned that “such an assembly could be used to give…
A young Italian man born in 1991 who is set to be beatified can be an example to Irish youth to be individuals and not fall into depression and drugs, according to the bishop of Waterford and Lismore. Bishop Phonise Cullinan told this paper that computer programmer Carlo Acutis was “obviously in love with God…
Over a dozen religious leaders have said they are “delighted” the Occupied Territories Bill was dropped in the draft Programme of Government in a statement issued this week, while Trócaire have called for its implementation. Signed by over a dozen clergy and lay people of a variety of denominations, the leaders stated: “This bill was…
Children’s Corner There’s a lot to be learnt about how certain objects interact with water. It can also raise a of questions. Fruit for example, why do certain fruits that look big float, while a smaller fruit might sink? One of the biggest factors here is density. When trying to guess if an object will…
The Irish College in Rome will not be receiving any new Irish seminarians for the academic year 2020-2021. The trustees of the college reported this to the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference after discussions about the future of seminary provision for the Church in Ireland. The decision will be kept under review. This was revealed…
The hierarchy has published a checklist for parishes to assist the faithful in their preparations to ensure that the return to public worship “happens in a safe and measured way”. With the restrictions set to lift on June 29, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference said the preparations would only be successful if there is “generous…