An increasing number of Catholic grammar schools in the North are abandoning controversial transfer tests to select pupils for 2021. It comes after Primate of Al-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin pleaded for the tests to be set aside. The 11-plus exams were formally abolished in 2008. However, some schools that wanted to continue to select children…
We can do a lot to maintain a healthy heart writes Chai Brady Many people are not seeing their family doctor as regularly as normal due to Covid-19. Most general practitioners are offering consultation via telephone or over the internet and people who are on regular medication are continuing to prescribe this. There have…
Award-winning Knock film director Campbell Miller looks at the filmmaking future with Chai Brady The film production industry faces huge challenges in the future due to the coronavirus pandemic and the need for social distancing, but a Northern Irish director who has won a prestigious award for his docudrama about Knock is determined to…
A musician with a passion for psalms speaks to Chai Brady about the idea behind his initiative A London-based composer and music teacher has taken to the online world to bring sacred music and hope to people in isolation during the coronavirus emergency by posting a cleverly edited video each day of himself, and…
Former Taoisigh Bertie Ahern and John Bruton have said the current restrictions on church services must be addressed and “flexibility” given. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mr Bruton said there can never be “absolute safety”, and that “anyone who is a practicing Catholic would regard the sacraments as essential”. “The problem now I think is…
Ireland’s national Marian shrine will join Pope Francis in praying the Rosary to implore Our Lady’s intercession and protection during the current coronavirus crisis today, the eve of Pentecost. Fr Richard Gibbons will say the Rosary at the Apparition Chapel in Knock, which will be streamed live on www.knockshrine.ie at 4.30pm. The Pope will be…
Adapting to restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic Bishop Phonsie Cullinan has announced that Confession will be available across his diocese in open air venues on Saturday, in preparation for Pentecost. In a pastoral message for the Feast of Pentecost Bishop Cullinan said that “part of our care for our brothers and sisters…
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said there is no room for “self-dispensation” or “self-interpretation” regarding health guidelines in place to protect from Covid-19. He warned that attempts to jump the queue by “individuals or communities puts everyone at risk”. The statement came after reports that a parish in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, was allowing people to attend…
Baroness Nuala O’Loan has dubbed a statement by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) “ill-advised” and “offensive” after they criticised individuals and groups pushing for a faster return to public Masses. The prominent human rights lawyer, former NI police ombudsman and member of the House of Lords, Baroness O’Loan told The Irish Catholic that it’s…
The Government restriction of no more than 10 people allowed to attend church funeral services is “putting distress on families that’s not necessary”, according to a senior priest. Msgr John Byrne PP of Portlaoise parish and Vicar General of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin told this paper that although there’s no great time to…