St Patrick’s Parish, Belfast has been reduced to just one priest for the first time in 200 years. The parish not only attends the spiritual and pastoral needs of the community, but also serves a hospital, a primary school, several residential and care homes, and the new Ulster University Belfast Campus. The large scale building…

Concern Worldwide is responding to deadly floods in Bangladesh in which at least 18 people have been killed and millions of others stranded. The Irish organisation is providing food, oral rehydration solution, water purification tablets, sanitary pads, candles and matches to approximately 35,000 people in Nohakhali district, one of the worst affected districts. “These floods…

Tribunal of Inquiry needed to investigate state and ministerial neglect of kids 100,000 children or almost twice the number of children who will do the Leaving Cert this year will be referred to Tusla, the State-run Child and Family Agency, amid chronic underfunding, missing children, lack of beds, in the ongoing crisis of State care…

“Young people, they’re searching for more,” said Keith Kelly, Youth Minister in the Diocese of Raphoe, at the Youth 2000 Event, pointing to the eagerness for catechesis to and Faith formation among the younger generations. Youth 2000 hosted a weekend event that gathered a large crowd of young people seeking to deepen their spiritual lives.…

Five Franciscan Brothers professed their First Vows on August 15 during the Eucharistic Celebration on the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, at Killarney Franciscan Friary. The five young members of the Order came from different countries, but spent the last year in Killarney Town completing their novitiate year. Bro Christophe Samois is from Belgium, Bro…

Omagh singer Donna Taggart, who is best known for her cover of the song ‘Jealous of the Angels’, which amassed millions of views in 2016, spoke movingly about how her resolute Faith has been the “anchor” that’s navigated her throughout all of the storms in her life and something she particularly relied on during the…

A Church expert in interreligious dialogue has said as the “phenomenon of Islam” is relatively new to Ireland compared to other countries there must be more education on Muslim theology and mindset. Fr Michael P. O’Sullivan MAfr who spent decades in the Middle East said the Church’s commitment to dialogue with Muslims has been ongoing for…

Archbishops, bishops, nuncios, priests and laypeople filled St Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast to join Archbishop Noël’s family in saying a last farewell to the Monaghan man who was Bishop Emeritus of Down and Connor and Nuncio to the European Union. In his homily Bishop Alan McGuckian  recalled working with Bishop Noël. “His dream for the…

Thousands of young people gathered in Co. Laois for Electric Picnic. At the same time, another significant youth event was quietly taking place in Co. Kildare. The Youth 2000 festival. “Electric Picnic is not the most important youth event this weekend. This one is. This is the future of Ireland,” said Fr John Harris OP…

Recent data from the US which found that for the first time young women are more likely to become disaffiliated from religion should be seen as an opportunity not a threat, according to a Professor in the Sociology of Religion. The Survey Center on American Life found that over the last two decades men have…