Gardaí have appealed to clergy to be vigilant after allegations of fraud against priests by an individual reportedly posing as a social worker. The Irish Catholic understands that a number of priests in dioceses in the Leinster area were allegedly approached by an individual claiming to be a social worker acting on behalf of families…

Organisers of a national conference on Catholic education have set themselves the task of retrieving the foundational Gospel values which define a Catholic school.  “There is a danger that many schools have fallen into the trap of identifying Catholic ethos simply with the delivery of classes in Religious Studies and the preparation of children for…

Caricatures of faith are not expressions of freedom but of “botched entitlement” according to the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin. Speaking at a seminar on ‘Mission and Dialogue’ organised by the Irish Missionary Union (IMU) last week, Archbishop Michael Jackson said respecting other faiths must be part of a “mature understanding of what it…

Following a recent spate of stabbings in cities across the country, priests from challenging communities have called for a crackdown on young people carrying knives. A man died and six others were injured in separate stabbing incidents across Dublin over the weekend. An 18-year-old was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after he was attacked on…

The Diocese of Ferns is launching the pilot programme for a new youth group next week, which aims to engage teens with their local parish. Spirit is a motivational youth group aimed at Transition Year students which will include a personal and spiritual development programme, weekly meetings, guest speakers and workshops with local community groups.…

Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor, along with Auxiliary Bishop, Dr Anthony Farquhar, and other local members of the clergy, gathered with parishioners of the Parish of Bright and surrounding areas to celebrate the 150th Anniversary Mass for St Patrick’s Church, Legamaddy. Bishop Treanor celebrated the Mass, during which both the parish choir and…

The Living Church Office in the Diocese of Down & Connor hosted the Called and Gifted Course over two days in Malone Lodge Hotel, Belfast. The course aimed to allow participants to explore how we are called by God and gifted for this call, looking at the critical role of charisms in the life and…

Corkman Michael O’Flynn was recently honoured by Pope Francis when he was appointed a Knight of Saint Gregory. Such papal knighthoods are awarded to those who have given outstanding service to the Church on a voluntary basis. Mr O’Flynn, who is well known as a developer, has been advising the diocese over the past number of…