TD Michael Collins hit back at critics with “fanatical agendas” for “bashing” the Catholic Church over the deal for the new National Maternity Hospital. Speaking in the Dáil, the independent TD said that “critics with fanatical agendas are claiming that a Catholic ethos” would compromise the hospital’s ability to deliver its services. “These claims are…
St Paul’s Parish in Lisduggan, Waterford City celebrated 50 years of parish life May 7, with a Mass celebrated by bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan. Bright May sunshine greeted parishioners and clergy, as well as the jubilee choir – formed from the three parish choirs – who under the direction of organiser Sean…
Cyclists gathered in Dublin on Saturday, May 13, to begin their 310km cycle to West Cork to raise funds for Bro. Kevin and Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin. Bro. Kevin Crowley met the cyclists and wished them well for the journey ahead, which they completed Sunday May 14, finishing in Clonakilty, Co. Cork, Bro. Kevin’s…
Thousands of Catholics across the island of Ireland celebrated the 105th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, with 515 public rosary rallies held May 14. Organisers the Irish Society for Christian Civilisation (ISFCC) said the number of rallies is growing quickly, describing it as “a tsunami of graces for Ireland”. “You can…
Personal Profile When Karen Wynne left home to work in Dublin, her mother encouraged her to join a prayer group. But Karen resisted until a trip to Medjugorje open her eyes to the importance of prayer and work in community are to strengthen your faith. Karen always had a connection to the Faith due to…
The Knights of Columbanus celebrated the centenary anniversary of its founder Canon James O’Neill on May 6 and 7 in Ballycastle. The gathering was well attended, with a number of talks from eminent speakers including historian Dr Éamon Phoenix, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Bishop Noel Treanor, Fr Eddie McGee and Mickey Harte. Fr McGee recounted the…
Baroness Nuala O’Loan has said there is “no doubt” that many committed nationalist voters didn’t vote for the SDLP because of their position on abortion. Writing in this paper, Baroness O’Loan said the SDLP “can no longer be accurately described as a pro-life party” given the way its representatives voted on abortion-related bills in the…
The current deal between the State and St Vincent’s for the National Maternity Hospital pleases no-one, writes Ruadhán Jones The Religious Sisters of Charity acted with the best of intentions when they offered a site worth €200 million for free to facilitate a new maternity hospital. However, from the word go this deal proved controversial,…
Speaking on Vocations Sunday, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan warned that “screaming” voices in the media can draw us away from God. Bishop Cullinan, chairman of the council for vocations in the Irish bishops’ conference, said that “the only voice that really matters, is the voice of God” in his homily during Mass for vocations Sunday, May…
An Irish inter-faith gathering has said EU governments should recognise the unique role churches and faith communities play in maintaining “the soul of Europe”. The comments come in a report submitted to the Conference on the Future of Europe, based on a meeting between Irish churches and faith communities in Dublin City University. Participant The…