Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis’ “unprecedented” power to impose abortion “must be scrapped”, a pro-life organisation has said. Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life made her comments as a legal challenge to Mr Lewis’ powers was launched in the North’s high court this week by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). The case…
Cooley parish celebrated Madge Boyle’s 100th birthday by unveiling a park bench across the road from the house she was born in. Fr Malachy Conlon PP Cooley parish, Co. Louth, described Ms Boyle as “a precious light in our community”. Born September 12, 1921, Ms Boyle and her late husband Mike had nine children, 25…
Plans that would remove Newry Cathedral’s parking have annoyed parishioners, with a recent survey showing 72% oppose the move. Fr Francis Brown, the Co. Down cathedral’s administrator, warned that the plans to build a civic centre in the cathedral’s parking area would be “disastrous”. “It means there would be no parking next to the cathedral,…
The Irish Capuchin community celebrated Bro. Antony Kurian OFM Cap making his perpetual vows October 4. It was the first solemn profession for the Capuchins in Ireland since 2014, taking place on the feast of their founder St Francis of Assisi. Bro. Kurian’s commitment was described as a statement “that there is another way to…
Daughters of Charity Sister Geraldine Henry tells Ruadhán Jones about the rewards of missionary life The work of a missionary can be tough. Their life’s mission is to travel to the most marginal communities, often placing their lives at risk in ministering to the poor, the sick and the outcast. But it is exactly this…
Personal Profile When Noel Lynch travelled to South America as an envoy for the Legion of Mary, he didn’t speak a word of Spanish. Now, 60 years later, he continues his life of ministry to the Spanish speaking community that gathers at St Saviour’s Dominican church, Dublin. Noel joined the legion while still in secondary…
Bishop of Derry Dr Donal McKeown welcomed the announcement of a panel for an independent review of the North’s education sector, but warned it must be able to ask “awkward questions”. After the panel was announced on Monday, Dr McKeown said that “the education system is doing very well for some, but is failing too…
The Irish Catholic bishop’s council for vocations is founding a ‘house of discernment/formation’ in a bid to attract new vocations to the priesthood. Chairman of the council Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said the house will provide “a group of like-minded people with whom they can really get to the bottom of the discernment process”. “We know…
The Archbishop of Dublin praised the “outgoing Order” for reflecting “spiritual realities”, at the September 25 ceremony. Archbishop Dermot Farrell called on the new knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre “to witness to the life of Christ, with its good news and its hope”. The seven new knights were: James…
The Catholic Women’s Conference held in Cork September 18 was run “by women, for women”, one of the organisers said. Anita Sheahan, outreach minister for the Dominican’s in St Mary’s Church, Cork City, said that more than 100 women attended the conference in person. “It was a great success, the speakers were all fantastic,” Ms…