The Bishops of Derry and Dublin have both announced that parishes in their respective dioceses are to be merged in recent days in order to better manage the prevailing challenges impacting parishes, namely the falling numbers of priests in active ministry. The Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown has announced that three Catholic parishes in counties…

Jarlath Burns, President of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and a proud Armagh man, whose son played in Sunday’s All Ireland final, stands also for his personal commitments. As a symbol of dedication, Burns wears two medals. On one lapel, he displays the medal of his office as GAA President. On the other, he proudly…

Ciara Mageean hailed by parish before Paris Olympics Celebrated runner Ciara Mageean who is set to represent Ireland in the Paris Olympics has been described as a “natural evangeliser” who is not ashamed to speak of her Catholic Faith. Fr Feargal McGrady PP of Ms Mageean’s home parish of Portaferry, Co. Down said locally they…

Former manager of the Clare hurling team and priest, Fr Harry Bohan, delighted at the outcome of Sunday’s gripping All-Ireland Hurling Final, which saw Clare win the Liam McCarthy cup for the first time in 11 years, remarked that “Clare is alive” after “one of the best All-Irelands for years”. Speaking to The Irish Catholic,…

The Irish Dominicans will be working together with their French brothers at the Olympics from this coming July 26 to August 11 in Paris. They will be based at the Église St-Francois-Xavier, Paris, where there will be free water, friendly faces, pétanque, organ concerts, Mass in 3 languages, Vespers, tours of the church and vigils…

On both sides of the Atlantic, Catholic newspapers are ceasing publication. The Universe Catholic Weekly, second oldest Catholic publication in the UK will publish its last issue tomorrow, July 26. While Our Sunday Visitor, an American weekly newspaper will transition to a monthly lifestyle magazine format later this year. The last Our Sunday Visitor newspaper…

On May 14 of this year, Pope Francis announced the appointment of Ennis priest, Monsignor Seamus Horgan as the first Nuncio to South Sudan, residing in Juba. The ordination Mass will take place this Saturday at 11am in the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul, Ennis, Co. Clare and will feature an array of special…

The Capuchin Friary in Ards, Donegal is breathing new life, combining the serene art of coffee-making with a focus on ecology and spirituality. Recent efforts have rejuvenated Ards as a centre for eco-spirituality. This transformation includes creating new walking paths, planting over 1,000 native Irish trees, and developing a vibrant walled garden. A new retreat…

Any discussions regarding reunification and a border poll must include difficult questions on what vision there is for those suffering from social division, poverty, addiction and more, according to the Bishop of Derry. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Bishop Donal McKeown said that “big picture” tensions in the North are being caused by “uncertainty in…

In Ireland for the ceremony of Investiture of new Dames and Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem met with a delegation from Aid to the Church in Need to discuss the situation in the Holy Land. “The situation is so polarised…