Academics have highlighted Catholic emancipation as a “landmark civil rights achievement” and regardless of Government sponsorship it should be marked significantly in 2029. The bicentenary of the historic 1829 milestone did not appear in the ‘Commemoration’ section of the programme for government which listed several events the new Government “could mark” in their 5-year term.…

“The problems we face today stem from a lack of awareness about the function of the family,” said Vincenzo Bassi, president of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE), during his recent visit to Ireland. FAFCE represents the voice of families at the European Union and is an advocate for their role in…

The 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is taking place from January 18 to 25, with this year’s theme being the question Jesus posed to Martha: ‘Do you believe this?’ (John 11:26). As part of the week’s celebrations, Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll gave a homily during a service in St Canice’s Church of…

The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has boosted the hope of people directly impacted by the devastating conflict that has been raging in the region since October 2023, but while there is “a great sense of rejoicing”, history has shown that peace can be fragile and according to an Irish priest based in Israel, the only…

There’s “something special” afoot in the city of Derry since the path to sainthood began for one of their own, Sr Clare Crockett, according to a local priest. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Fr Gerard Mongan Administrator of Long Tower Church in Derry, said that the magnitude of the local Derry girl’s sensational path…

The newly-formed Irish Government ought to do more for beleaguered Nigerian Christians who are routinely persecuted for their Faith, say Nigerian priests living in Ireland after a recently published report, The World Watch List, revealed that Nigeria is the country that has seen the highest rates of Christians being kidnapped or killed because of their…

“Decisions that you make locally are far more important.” Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran said, in his homily during Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Curry, Co. Sligo on January 19 that, even though a surprise to many, the joining of the Dioceses of Elphin and Achonry “is not really going to make…

The Filipino Community in Dublin gathered to mark the feast of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu. The 26th annual celebration in Dublin took place in St Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Road, Dublin 7 on January 19. It is estimated over 600 people joined the celebration this year. With an outdoor celebration followed by Mass, the event’s…

An online Government survey which includes questions about attendance at ‘religious ceremonies’ before and after the Covid-19 pandemic will produce “flawed” results, according to the Iona Institute. Announced last week, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) are conducting a survey entitled ‘COVID-19 – Our Lives Five Years On’. It includes the question: “Thinking back to before…

Young Catholics from all over Europe gathered in Cologne, Germany for the first conference organised by FOCUS – Fellowship of Catholic University Students – held in Europe. A third of the overall attendance were young adults from Ireland. Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath and Bishop Alan McGuckian of Down and Connor were also present, and…