A Catholic schools’ representative body has welcomed the HSE’s revamped test and trace system, saying earlier shortcomings were “not acceptable”. From Monday, November 2 on, a revamped Covid-19 testing and tracing system for schools will be led by public health officials and supplemented by department staff, the Minister for Education Norma Foley announced last week.…
Autumn is passing and it’s time to bed the garden down for winter, writes Ruadhán Jones Do you have a gardening calendar? It’s a useful item and can be purchased, home-made or simply looked up online. Anyway, if you were to consult your calendar, you will most likely be getting little hints that the growing…
Aontù leader Peadar Tóibín has called for an “urgent inquiry” following a “huge increase” in homeless deaths this year. 50 homeless people have died this year, compared with 34 and 35 in the last two years according to figures from Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE). This is despite more than 1,500 people exiting homelessness this…
Bishops who want to establish a religious order in their dioceses must first obtain the written permission of the Holy See, Pope Francis said. Amending canon law, the Pope said it no longer is enough for a bishop to consult the Vatican before approving the creation of a new order in his diocese. “By its…
Pope Francis prayed for “the defenceless victims of terrorism” at his weekly general audience, following a number of attacks across Europe. An attack in Nice, France and one in Vienna “have provoked dismay and reproach” among residents and in all who “cherish peace and dialogue”, the Pope said. Pope Francis concluded by calling for an…
Family and friends mourned the tragic loss of Tadg and his son Diarmuid O’Sullivan at his funeral today, a loss that should be not be minimised by “providing easy answers”
CEIST, a Catholic patron body that includes Mercy and Presentation schools, are looking to provide “high-quality Catholic education” for two new schools in Meath and Wexford. The Department for Education are currently seeking patrons for schools in Gorey, Co. Wexford, and Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, to be opened in 2022. The Department have asked parents to…
Pro-life group Precious Life held a series of gatherings across Northern Ireland to mark one year since abortion was controversially decriminalised in the North. On October 21, 2019, Westminster’s Section 9 of the NI (Executive Formation) Act removed the laws that had protected unborn children in Northern Ireland. Department of Health (DoH) figures released at…
Whether of pagan or Catholic origins, Hallowe’en is more than a commercial holiday writes Ruadhán Jones An infrequent and unofficial “battle”’ takes place between Christians, Neo Pagans and sometimes New Atheists. It comes to the fore every time we have a major feast in the Church. Easter and Christmas, it is erroneously claimed, originated in…
The Poor Clares of Arundel, Sussex have hit No.1 in the official UK classical album charts following the release of their debut album. The album, Light for the World, was released last week on Decca Records and stormed up the iTunes and Amazon UK albums charts, peaking at #1 and #2 respectively earlier this week.…