Bishop Brendan Leahy was joined by the Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan to formally open St Munchin’s College in Limerick after an extension and refurbishment. St Munchin’s is the ‘Diocesan Catholic Secondary School’ for Limerick and is one of the oldest Catholic schools in Ireland, having been founded in 1796 for young Limerick men entering…

The Diocese of Kerry is preparing a new pastoral plan for 2015-2020 and has begun the planning process with the launch of comprehensive listening sessions in order to hear people’s hopes, challenges and expectations at this time. The pastoral plan will provide the diocese with a road-map/direction over the next five years. Launching the listening…

An Irish priest based in Paris said a palpable sense of grief and anger remains in the city following the terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo satirical newspaper. Fr Dwayne Gavin, a native of Kells, Co. Meath studying in Paris and serving as chaplain to the Irish community, said that coupled with sadness and a sense…

Pontiff’s ‘state of the world’ address covered many issues of local and world conflict

“It builds who you are”

More than 30 young people from the Diocese of Kilmore received their Pope John Paul II Awards at a special ceremony in the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.  Four candidates received the Papal Cross Award, which is the highest award on offer and involves a commitment of 26 weeks to parish work and social awareness. All of…

Minister proposing to change law to permit abortion in cases where unborn child will only live for a short time after birth

Irish missionaries based in the Philippines are hopeful that Pope Francis will put a spotlight on widespread poverty in the country during his official visit next week. Irish Columban missionary Fr Shay Cullen, who has lived in the Philippines for over 40 years, said it was expected that Pope Francis would address the “great disparity…

Two Irish bishops will be part of an international delegation visiting the Holy Land next week to show support for the Christian community in Gaza. Joining a delegation of 14 prelates from Europe, America and South Africa who will travel to the Holy Land from January 11-15, Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, the newly appointed Archbishop of…

Just 10% of Massgoers receive bishops’ letter on marriage