Belfast actor James Martin is set to be recognised for his contribution to the arts by Ulster University. Star of the Oscar-winning Northern Irish short film, An Irish Goodbye, Mr Martin is the first person with Down’s Syndrome to win film’s biggest award. Responding to the news of his Honorary Doctorate, James said: “I will…
Deputy leader of pro-life party Aontú in the North, Gemma Brolly has expressed regret following disappointment in the recent local elections. Sinn Féin was the big winner of the election, and is now the largest party in both local government and Stormont for the first time after making huge gains. With all seats counted, the…
Catholic and Protestant schools’ bodies in the North have expressed “deep disappointment” at cuts to shared education initiatives, despite their “clear benefits”. Shared education projects bring staff and pupils from different religious backgrounds together on a regular basis, but funding will be halved this year and cease entirely from 2024 under Stormont’s 2023-24 budget. The…
An Irish World War I military chaplain has been honoured by a college in England after they named their new English centre after him. Servant of God Fr Willie Doyle SJ, whose cause for sainthood has been opened, was killed in action while assisting soldiers. He ministered to the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and died…
Cork diocese gathers to discuss future The Faithful of Cork and Ross will gather to discuss the diocese’s future reorganisation over Pentecost weekend, with Bishop Fintan Gavin saying closer collaboration between laity and clergy is needed. Bishop Gavin has invited Julian Stanz, a married woman and mother of three, to lead two gatherings where she…
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released its data for marriages 2022, and it makes for very interesting reading for those interested in the faith landscape of modern Ireland. There were 22,555 opposite-sex marriages in total in Ireland in 2022, with 19,672 of these being first-time marriages in the State. The CSO’s official webpage for…
Staff at the country’s largest Catholic university Mary Immaculate College in Limerick say they feel “very much in the dark” over a dialogue that could see the institution further aligned with the secular University of Limerick (UL). Fears have been expressed in the past that any move on the future of the college could dilute…
Crisis pregnancy organisation Gianna Care has welcomed the Government’s “baby bundle” pilot scheme, but added that they could be doing “a lot more” to support women facing crisis pregnancies. The “baby bundle” pilot scheme includes toys to encourage early communication and a range of items to support new parents after the birth of their child.…
A Catholic schools’ body has promised “substantial” resources for sexual education in secondary schools, as the Minister for Education has signed off on the specifications for a controversial new curriculum. Parents have expressed concerns over the new relationship and sexual education (RSE) curriculum over fears that it will promote teachings around sexuality and gender identity…
The protest that has broken out in Inch, Co. Clare over the housing of at least 30 asylum seekers in a former hotel and restaurant is the result of “missing” consultation with residents, a local priest has said. Monday evening saw 34 asylum seekers arrive by bus at Magowna House, after which 50 local people…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady