Exclusive There is “great relief” among parishes across the country, as local councils drop a new tax on churches that could have cost Mass-goers thousands every year on top of the rising costs of running places of worship. Dioceses are pouring over maps released by local councils earlier this month, which places some churches in…

While the local community has been stepping up and embracing newcomers, there is concern and “anxiety” in Wicklow Town due to the recent influx of asylum seekers, the local priest has warned. Fr Donal Roche PP of Wicklow told The Irish Catholic that the community has been “very welcoming” to asylum seekers but that there…

Staff Reporter Israel’s national airline has announced that it is to begin direct flights from Dublin next year bringing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land one step closer. Pilgrims on The Irish Catholic/Marian Pilgrimages trips in autumn 2023 to the Holy Land will be able to avail of the direct flight with El Al from…

Changes to the award-winning Burren Programme have been poorly received, and criticised as a “step backwards” and “unfeasible” by Columban and ecologist Fr Sean McDonagh. Around 330 farmers currently participate in the Burren Programme, which is a local agri-environmental climate measure started in 2016, and is to be replaced by the new Agri Climate Rural…

The Irish Government’s indifference on Christian persecution as it rises worldwide is “utterly shameful”, Aid to the Church in Need Ireland have said. Ireland has “totally ignored” the plight of “the most persecuted people on the planet, Christians”, ACN Ireland director Michael Kinsella told The Irish Catholic. Mr Kinsella called the Government’s lack of action,…

Staff Reporter Many non-practicing Catholics in the North continue to identify themselves by their religion because of its “political significance”, MPs at Westminster were told. Open Learning tutor at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) Dr Kevin McNicholl told MPs that it seems when “Catholics stop their religious observance they would still call themselves ‘Catholic’; it’s more of…

Pope Francis offered his “prayerful closeness” to the Legionaries gathered in the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, for closing Mass of the Legion of Mary’s centenary year. In a letter to Mary Murphy, the Legion’s president, the Pope gave thanks to God “for the graces received by countless people in many parts of the world through the witness…

A pro-life group has called on voters to urge their TDs to retain the 3-day waiting period before women can undergo an abortion. The Life Institute said the waiting period gives women a period of reflection before the procedure, adding that it has proven to reduce the number of abortions taking place in Ireland. More…