The number of abortions taking place in Ireland are “out of control”, the Life Institute has said, after new figures suggest as many as 10,000 terminations could be carried out in 2023. New data covering the first six months of the year indicate more than 5,000 abortions took place between January and June 2023. Figures…
Renowned broadcaster Seán O’Rourke has urged young people to “go the extra mile” and consider a vocation to the priesthood. In an address delivered in Knock Basilica on August 16, Mr O’Rourke, paid tribute to priests and religious who inspired him in his life, including his two deceased aunts, Cecilia and Anna, who were sisters…
The Church in Ireland had a bumper week for vocations, with two priests ordained and four men and women making their professions to religious life. Fr Mark Moriarity was first up, ordained a priest for Kerry diocese on Sunday, August 13, by Bishop Ray Browne. He was followed by Fr Mark O’Farrell, ordained a priest…
A case challenging “illiberal and non-democratic” blanket bans on public worship during the Covid-19 pandemic is to be heard by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Former Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion in the EU Dr Ján Figel has filed a challenge at the ECtHR, questioning whether “blanket bans on public worship” are…
A guide map offering insight into 101 archaeological sites around north and east Cork has been launched by County Mayor, Cllr Frank O’Flynn. The map promotes significant rural monuments and sights, including many from the early Christian period of Ireland. Mayor O’Flynn welcomed Cork County Council’s latest heritage publication and said he was delighted to…
The Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP) have opened their first permanent home in Ireland after purchasing a community house in Waterford City. The FSSP spent €500,000 in purchasing St Oliver Plunkett house after raising €263,000 between January and June of this year. They thanked everyone who donated for their generosity, explaining that the fraternity…
Andrew Atherstone explains how a local discipleship course became a global brand, writes Ruadhán Jones Back in the early 1970s, when a small group of Christians began a local discipleship course in London, they couldn’t have expected this mustard seed would grow quite so substantially. But it did, becoming the Alpha course for Christian…
Irish expats living in Australia and many who have travelled over are “excited” to cheer on the women’s soccer team as they take part in the world cup for the first time, an Irish priest based in Sydney has said. “There’s more than the usual excitement for a world cup” around the Irish community, Fr…
The Church’s safeguarding body is conducting a review of safeguarding policies to address concerns that the level of bureaucracy may deflect from good practice and to take into account changes in legislation and canon law, as well as practical experience. Church personnel have expressed concerns about the “level of bureaucracy associated with safeguarding practice”, saying…
The powers of vicar general for the diocese of Down and Connor have been delegated to Fr John Murray and Fr Eugene O’Hagan, as the diocese awaits the appointment of a new bishop. Apostolic administrator Bishop Donal McKeown conferred the powers of a vicar general to the two priests to assist in the ongoing governance…