Clergy, laity, families and young people from across the Archdiocese of Armagh gathered over the weekend for a major congress focused on youth, family and faith, marking a significant moment in the diocese’s ongoing process of renewal. The Pope expressed particular encouragement for young people” Around 300 delegates took part in the three-day event at…
Churches in Ireland are being encouraged to reflect on how they welcome migrants and displaced people at a conference organised by Tearfund Ireland this weekend. Emma Lynch of Tearfund Ireland told The Irish Catholic the event aims to bring “lessons… from churches in Lebanon” to an Irish context, particularly as displacement rises globally and tensions…
A protest outside Belfast City Hall at the weekend has drawn attention to proposed city centre by-laws that campaigners say could restrict pro-life outreach, street preaching and public expression. Around 100 people gathered for the demonstration organised by Liberty NI, with speakers aiming to raise awareness of the proposals among the wider public. Speaking to…
The monks of La Trappe Abbey have announced they are considering leaving their historic monastery by 2028, citing a shortage of vocations and the difficulties of maintain the site. In a statement released earlier this month, the community said the possibility of departure would mark “a page of history that is about to be turned,”…
The dedication of a new altar at Mater Dei Church has marked a “new beginning” for a Co. Antrim parish, following a major restoration of the 1970s building. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Canon Colm McBride PP said the ceremony, led by Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, was “to dedicate the new altar but also an…
Ireland urged to recover the saint behind the Shamrock As Ireland prepares to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Dominican priest Gregory Pine has called for what he described as an “authentic reappropriation” of the country’s patron saint. Speaking to The Irish Catholic during a visit to Dublin, Fr Pine – a popular Catholic speaker and member…
A diocesan initiative aimed at reconnecting young adults with parish life drew around 40 participants to Our Lady of Victories parish in Ballymun for a HopeFest gathering last weekend. HopeFest events, organised through the Archdiocese of Dublin’s youth ministry team, are being held in parishes across the diocese with the aim of creating spaces where…
Two Catholic churches in Co. Westmeath were targeted in suspected arson attacks in the early hours of Friday, March 6. The first incident occurred shortly before 2am at St James’ Church in Kilbeggan, where cloths soaked in diesel were placed across the front door and set alight. Parish priest Fr Brendan Corrigan responded after a…
As Ireland prepares to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Nigerian priests serving in Irish parishes say the country’s patron saint remains an important figure in the story of the Church in Nigeria. For many Nigerian Catholics, the link between St Patrick and their own faith comes through the work of Irish missionaries who helped establish the…
When Fr Gary Chamberland CSC arrived in Dublin to take up the role of rector at Newman University Church just off of St Stephen’s Green, it was not the beginning anyone could have expected. “It was the middle of the Covid shutdown about 100 years ago,” Fr Chamberland recalled with a laugh. The Massachusetts-born priest…