Bishop Donal McKeown has said it is unclear if parishes can actually baptise children and criticised the “lack of clarity” from the Northern Ireland Executive. Bishop McKeown said that many parents have been “crying out” to have their child baptised, which had been explicitly banned under lockdown. Highlighting the confusion around the changing rules, Bishop…
Tributes have streamed in from the faithful around the world for Oscar winning Italian composer Ennio Morricone. Most famous to many Catholics for his score for the film The Mission, he died aged 91. Morricone died in a Rome hospital on Monday, July 6 after he was admitted days earlier with a fractured femur. Morricone’s…
Archbishop Michael Neary has praised the hard work of all involved in restarting public Masses and “warmly welcomed” the new detailed guidance from the Government regarding Masses. Following the news that Masses could resume, Archbishop Neary said that “teams of volunteers have been trained, churches have been prepared and marked out according to social distancing…
Child poverty could be as high as 21% if the economy fails to recover by the end of the year, according to a study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The figures “are, sadly, not surprising” said Kieran Stafford, National President of St Vincent De Paul. “Child poverty is already at an unacceptable…
The Irish Blessing, originally released in May, came second to its UK counterpart in the UK Christian Music Chart for July after a public vote. Co-producer, Fr Martin Magill, says the team are “absolutely delighted” with the result, and prays that it continues to a blessing for people around the world. Speaking to The Irish…
A total of 6,666 abortions were carried out in the Republic in 2019, according to figures released by the Department of Health. Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute described the figures as “shocking and tragic”. She told The Irish Catholic: “It’s tragic to see this first report, it’s tragic to see that 6,666 babies…
The newly-appointed Bishop of Kilmore has insisted that laypeople must play an increasingly important role in decision-making. Bishop-elect Martin Hayes said the Church of the future will see more lay involvement and co-responsibility between priests and the laity. Speaking on his appointment as Bishop of Kilmore, Bishop-elect Hayes said his brief “will be to listen,…
Weird dreams and disturbed sleep have been frequent complaints during lockdown, so now’s the time to consider your sleep hygiene writes Ruadhán Jones We’ve all heard how important good hygiene is to combat the coronavirus. Even before that, no doubt, the practice of washing your hands after going outside and always brushing your teeth would…
Famous Irish presenter Seán O’Rourke said his Faith is important to him and that he believes in the hereafter, including Hell. Speaking to Ivan Yates, Mr O’Rourke explained that both his parents were “practising Catholics and quite devout”. O’Rourke went to Mass every weekend during college and still believes Faith is an important part of…
Personal Profile Music and faith are the two passions of Tom Conroy’s life, who believes firmly in St Augustine’s teaching “he who sings, prays twice”. Though as a child, Tom wasn’t too interested in music, it was something that was always in the background. “Music is in my family – all of them play, my…