The 4 Corners Festival brings Christians together in Belfast, writes Róise McGagh   On Friday January 31 the 4 Corners festival kicked off in Belfast city. The series of events running until February 9 was aimed at bringing Christians in the city together, as one of the founders of the festival Rev. Steve Stockman said:…

Chai Brady discusses sacraments in schools, defending the faith and Armagh archdiocese’s new pastoral plan with Bishop Michael Router   Teaching parents how to defend and pass on the Faith, developing Christian communities and streamlining pastoral areas are all important aspects for reflection as the Archdiocese of Armagh prepares for a new pastoral plan, according…

Church officials have adopted a warmer attitude towards the reported apparitions, writes Michael Kelly   For devotees of Medjugorje, shifting attitudes in the Church on the phenomenon only confirm what they already believe: that the small town in Herzegovina is a place where heaven meets earth and wonderous things happen through the intercession of the…

The spiritual directors have been confirmed for the annual Christian Solidarity Pilgrimages to the Holy Land organised by The Irish Catholic in autumn 2020. This September and October will see two groups of pilgrims depart on the unforgettable trip to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The first group will depart Dublin on September 29…

The different forms of consecrated life enrich communities in varied ways, writes Aron Hegarty Every year religious orders, congregations and societies around the world gather to give thanks for their calling to serve the Gospel in a consecrated way of living life. This occasion comes in the form of World Day for Consecrated Life, which…

To mark Catholic Schools Week 2020, the Diocese of Down and Connor, recognising and paying tribute to the inspiring work within its schools, has presented eight schools from across the diocese with the ‘Spirit of Catholic Education Award’ held in St Mary’s University College in Belfast. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration which commemorates…

During Mass to celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW) the Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown criticised discussion among some of Northern Ireland’s political leaders about creating one educational system, and defended the merits of a Catholic education. The Derry Diocesan Launch of CSW, which runs from January 26 to February 2, attracted large crowds of all…

Tribute to a statesman   Seamus Mallon’s principles, rooted in a strong Faith and in an unstinting commitment to a culture of life, remained steadfast even in face of opposition, writes Archbishop Eamon Martin   In the entrance hall of the Seamus Heaney ‘home place’ in Bellaghy, Co. Derry there is a quotation from one…

Tribute to a statesman   Perhaps his greatest achievements were reforms around policing and justice, writes Martin Mansergh   Seamus Mallon played an indispensable role in the SDLP as deputy leader of that party, of which he was part of the bedrock in deeply dangerous times. In later years, he received a great deal of…

Tribute to a statesman   In 2015, the late Seamus Mallon sat down with The Irish Catholic northern correspondent Martin O’Brien for an interview in which he offered rare insights into his life of faith. On the occasion of his death, we reproduce it here   Statesman, patriot, Catholic, primary carer to Gertrude, his dementia-stricken…