The dioceses of Clonfert and Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora are at a “threshold moment”, Bishop Michael Duignan said as he was installed as bishop of Galway, May 1. Bishop Duignan, who will serve as bishop to both dioceses following the retirement of Bishop-emeritus Brendan Kelly, said that this is “a historic development” for the Church…
Irish charities receive €2m for Ukraine aid Irish Aid has granted €500,000 each to four Irish charities – Trócaire, Goal, Concern and Plan International – to support their humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis. Announcing the grant, Minister for Overseas Development Aid and the Diaspora Colm Brophy said that the grant enables charities to assist…
Journey Into Light: The Challenge and Enchantment of Catholic Christianity, by Roderick Strange (Hodder and Stoughton, €20.99/£16.99) In Journey Into Light, Msgr Roderick Strange sets himself quite a task – to convey The Challenge and Enchantment of Catholic Christianity, as the subtitle says, in little more than 200 pages. Measured against this ambition, the book…
Senator Sharon Keogan has said she will continue to contribute to the debate around surrogacy, after a “deeply personal attack” during an April 21 Oireachtas committee meeting. Senator Keogan was referred to as being a “bigot”, “crude”, “cold” and that she should “check her Christian values” after raising concerns about the possibility of Ireland legalising…
Catholic primary and secondary school bodies are confident they can manage the expected influx of Ukrainian students, as schools return after Easter break. About one third of all refugees are aged between five to 17-years-old, meaning of the 21,000 that arrived before the Easter break, 6,300 were of school-going age. “It’s very hard to tell…
Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has said the young people across Limerick committed to playing a role in the Church are “beacons of hope”. Speaking as he presented 50 John Paul II Awards in Scoil Pól Kilfinane, Bishop Leahy praised the “inspirational young people”. “The work they have been doing in their local areas is…
Pilgrims from across Dublin diocese returned to Knock for the first diocesan pilgrimage since Covid restrictions were lifted. Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell celebrated Mass for the pilgrims, who visited Knock Shrine Saturday, April 23. Archbishop Farrell said in his homily that Mary brings her family to the shrine “to see her and be seen…
More than 200 families and young adults attended Arise’s Easter conference in Tramore, Co. Waterford, for a weekend of Mass, talks, drama and family fun. The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan celebrated Mass during the conference, while Edith Farley gave a talk on the blessing of family life. Christian theatre group Rise also…
Significant reduction in people sleeping rough in Dublin The Peter McVerry Trust has welcomed the significant reduction in the number of people sleeping rough in Dublin, down 27% year-on-year. Some 92 people were found sleeping rough in Dublin, according to figures from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive’s spring rough sleeper count, which took place end…
Personal Profile Just five years ago, Aontú candidate for Belfast South Luke McCann had fallen away from the faith of his childhood. Now, in the midst of his election campaign, he took a break “in the thick of it” to go on a retreat over the Easter weekend. He puts the change down to the…