A steady decline in priests self-describing as progressive has reached zero-point, writes Ruadhán Jones The number of priests in the United States self-describing as theologically ‘progressive’ has steadily declined, to the point that in younger generations the phenomenon has all but vanished, a new report shows. No priests surveyed by The Catholic Project who were…
The popular live animal crib will return to Dublin’s Mansion House, the Lord Mayor of Dublin announced, after public backlash to a decision to cancel the live crib last year. Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste acknowledged the importance of the Christmas tradition, saying on November 9 that the live crib is a “huge part of”…
Inviting priests from the Church in developing parts of the world to maintain the status quo in Irish parishes and to cope with the vocations crisis is “selfish” a liturgical expert has warned. Spiritan priest Prof. Tom Whelan also warned that pastoral plans that have no greater vision than replacing Sunday Mass with ceremonies with…
The “unprecedented” level of vacant teaching posts in primary and special schools is the “greatest challenge facing primary schools”, a Catholic schools’ body have warned. The crisis is “so grave that a ‘whole of Government’ approach is warranted” said Seamus Mulconry, Secretary General of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA). His comments come after…
Tánaiste Micheál Martin refused to commit to bringing up the plight of Christians during his visit to China, while stressing that Ireland condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion. Although restrictions on expressing the Christian Faith in China have been on the rise since 2018 according to a number of charities, the…
During a visit to South Korea, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar laid a wreath at a shrine dedicated to Irish missionaries and peacekeepers who died in conflicts in Korea. The deaths of Columban Fathers and one Anglican sister during the Korean war in the 1950s “were such a loss to Korea as well as Ireland”, said…
Dioceses must avoid clericalist thinking in pastoral shake ups, Fr Tom Whelan tells Ruadhán Jones As dioceses grapple with the unchartered waters of the vocation’s crisis, there is a danger that plans for diocesan shake-ups will carry over a “clericalised” vision of the Church, a respected liturgist and theologian has warned. Spiritan Fr Tom Whelan…
A Carmelite convent in Dublin has become the second enclosed order to be targeted by a new Government tax, after their appeal to An Bord Pleanala (ABP) was slapped down.
Lay-led liturgies, including “Eucharistic para-liturgies”, church closures and centralised administration for parish clusters are on the cards as dioceses face “significant change” if they are to thrive.
Health minister Stephen Donnelly has been accused of “breaking a promise” made by the Government that abortion would never be conducted by telemedicine.