Two Co. Louth priests were left traumatised when four raiders broke into their house and confronted them with hammers and an axe on Saturday, March 9. The burglary comes less than a month after the parochial house in Athy, Co. Kildare was burnt down in a suspected arson, while the Diocese of Kerry has had…
A former Presentation Brothers student Cillian Murphy scooped the best actor award at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10. His old school’s community were delighted for Mr Murphy, with the principal of Presentation Brothers College Cork saying he “absolutely” expects students to be inspired by the Cork man’s Oscar win. The Cork-born actor received the…
The election of a woman as president of the Pioneers for the first time in the apostolates’ 125-year history has been described as “historic”. The election of Galway-based mother of four, and grandmother of three, Frances Egan, was announced on Mothers’ Day, Sunday, March 10, with Ms Egan stressing the ongoing importance of the Pioneers’…
The Council of Europe’s commission for human rights is ignoring medicine and rights in favour of ideology, the Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has said, after the commission called for Ireland and other EU states to remove “harmful barriers” to abortion. It is “ideology versus science and medicine and experience” that motivates such calls, PLC spokesperson…
The Irish bishops’ conference has called for an immediate and complete ceasefire in Gaza, urging Israel and Islamist terrorist organisation Hamas to work for a just peace. “We join with many in our parishes, together with all people of goodwill, in demanding an immediate end to the daily horror of killing, wounding and destruction of…
‘Distinct’ role of faith must be respected in policy The distinct role faith plays in the North must be respected in policy bishops and experts have said as a new poll shows that 80% of people in the North identify as Christian – compared with just 46% in England and Wales and 74% in the…
Decisions “have to be made” on the future structure of parish life, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan has said, as his diocese mulls alternating Mass venues, changing schedules and closing churches. In a letter to parishioners, the bishop of Waterford and Lismore warned that “we cannot avoid change” in parish identity, as there is a “lot more…
If there is a scale of how critical the housing crisis in Cork can be, it’s at the upper end, the head of Cork Simon told The Irish Catholic. The charity’s shelter is “packed to the rafters” every night, says Paul Sheehan, adding that what started out as a 47-bed shelter now typically accommodates 74…
The Government has “forgotten” people with disabilities, the head of a Christian charity has warned, after a report laid bare the lack of progress on “substantive issues” for disability inclusion. People with disabilities continue to be treated as “secondary” in Ireland, according to the CEO of a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people…
It came as a shock to many loyal customers when Veritas announced it is winding down by the end of the year, closing its seven stores nationwide and its three warehouses. The news is a big blow for its 80 staff, as well many Catholics who turned to it for religious books, gifts and educational…
