Thousands gathered in Dublin on Monday for the annual March for Life, with this year’s demonstration focusing on rising abortion numbers and opposition to proposals to remove the three-day waiting period. The event began with Mass at the Newman University Church, where Bishop Kevin Doran of Achonry and Elphin told worshippers: “Once there is a…
Family law proceedings concerning child custody, access, guardianship and childcare matters are currently held in secret under the in-camera rule and that must be reformed according to TD Paul Gogarty who launched a bill and a two-hour debate this week calling on the Minister to enact legislation to replace the current blanket ban on reporting…
The recent inquest findings regarding the “unlawful” killing of five persons by British Soldiers in the Springhill / Westrock area of Belfast on July 9, 1972, is of “great importance”, Bishop Alan McGuckian of Down and Connor told parishioners in Corpus Christi Parish, Ballymurphy, during Mass on May 3. “After more than fifty years, the…
Bishop Michael Duignan of Clonfert, Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora celebrated St Joseph’s Day at Clonfert College in Ballinasloe last week, where he congratulated recipient of the Founding Vision Award Phillip Costello. Clonfert College is the result of an amalgamation between two former Co. Galway secondary schools, Garbally College and Ardscoil Mhuire. The event marked the…
Young people in Ireland are moving from climate concern to action through creative learning initiatives, according to organisers of Trócaire’s Game Changers competition, which held its national final in Dublin this week. A recent survey by ECO-UNESCO found that 97% of young people in Ireland are worried about climate change. That concern was reflected at…
The former Presentation Convent lands in Portlaoise have been officially reopened following a two-year redevelopment, delivering 52 social housing apartments for people on the long-term homeless waiting list in Co. Laois. The site, originally established by the Presentation Sisters more than 200 years ago, had fallen into dereliction by the late 20th century. After the…
EXCLUSIVE The Diocese of Derry – which dates back to the Twelfth Century and is one of the oldest in Ireland – may cease to exist within a decade, according to its outgoing Bishop. In a wide-ranging interview with The Irish Catholic, Bishop Donal McKeown suggested that his successor may be the last Bishop of…
An Irish theologian has said that lack of moral courage among the Irish people has roots that stretch back centuries — and that it continues to shape the character of Irish society today. Fr Vincent Twomey, former Professor of Moral Theology at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, made the observation during a wide-ranging conversation on Just…
The Diocese of Clogher has celebrated the ordination of Fr Stephen Sherry to the priesthood on Vocations Sunday, April 26, in St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan. Originally from Tullycorbet, Co. Monaghan, Fr Sherry was ordained by Bishop Lawrence Duffy in a ceremony attended by clergy, family and parishioners from across the diocese. His ordination marks the…
he tone was warm, the delivery assured. But does Archbishop Dermot Farrell’s Knock homily actually offer the Church in Dublin what it needs, or does it dress a crisis in hopeful language while the hard decisions go unmade? The Archbishop’s central consolation — that crisis proves life — is sound as far as it goes.…
Renata Steffens
Martina Purdy