Contemporary topics about the Irish Church now revolve around questions about our declining priesthood, the efficacy of clergy formation, and the integral role of the laity. Although these discussions often begin and end at the armchair, the newly-appointed Bishop of Ossory is hoping to put his words into real action. Dr Dermot Farrell, who was…
Creating a context for Christian conversations is vital, writes Colm Fitzpatrick Tackling the new surge of apathy towards the Christian faith in our modern world, a dynamic evangelical programme is hoping to put the message of the Gospels back on the radar. The Alpha course, originally developed by the Anglican Church in the late…
Irish grandparents should vote to keep Ireland’s constitutional protections for the unborn, the Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) has urged. In a notice in their March news bulletin, dedicated to Saint Joseph, the CGA said: “As Catholic grandparents we love our grandchildren; those who are born and those who are waiting to be born. We believe…
Parents can help protect their children online, writes Colm Fitzpatrick A few decades ago the most useful safety advice given to children was that when out and about you should never speak to strangers. This message was often summed up by the useful adage ‘stranger danger’, which stressed that all strangers can be potentially dangerous. This…
This year’s Rally for Life should send a ‘massive message’ about Ireland’s determination to keep its constitutional protections for the unborn, event organisers have said. “It’s hugely important there’s a massive turnout” at the March 10 event in Dublin a spokesperson for the Save the 8th campaign told The Irish Catholic. “We’re very encouraged by…
Although gaming brings joy to millions of people globally, it is important to remember that virtual reality can have real effects. The world of gaming has evolved rapidly in the last few decades; now it is an immersive online experience where gamers can communicate internationally with one another, create their own unique characters, and enter…
The number of children attending Catholic primary schools in Ireland is increasing according to the latest Department of Education enrolment data. Almost 2,600 additional denominational primary school places were created this year compared to last which represents an increase of 0.5%. Similarly, there was a 0.8% rise in the number of students attending denominational post…
From a life of music to a life of silence, one chaplain is now listening to the voice of students. Born in 1967, Fr Gerard Magee was reared in a turbulent period when the “troubles were about to break out”. He received a Catholic education from St. Malachy’s College, North Belfast, which was also complemented…
Pro-life organisations have scorned claims by the chair of the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment that the committee could not find a single medical expert to make the case for retaining Ireland’s constitutional protections for the unborn. Speaking on RTÉ radio, Senator Catherine Noone said: “Nobody was willing to come forward, none who were…
Religious scrupulosity can be destructive, writes Colm Fitzpatrick Although piety is a virtue that should be extolled, there are circumstances when devotion can become neurotic and damaging. All of us have compulsive tendencies at times that take shape in either the form of thought or action. This may be as simple as wondering if…