Irish farmers have been “singled out” by plans that Government is considering that could see up to 65,000 dairy cows a year culled so as to bring the agricultural sector into line with climate targets. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Birr, Co. Offaly, parish priest Fr Michael O’Meara said that farmers are “good stewards”…
Diocese faces challenge of aging clergy, bishop warns The diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is “challenged” by the aging demographic of its priests, Bishop Denis Nulty has warned. In his 10 years as bishop, Dr Nulty said he has buried 19 priests and ordained just two for the diocese. “Doing the sums, 20 priests dying…
Paramilitary-style groups use the “romantic perspective” of past violence to “radicalise and divide society so people can stay in positions of powers,” a Belfast youth worker has said. However, Mr Stephan Hughes warned that it is not just paramilitaries who are the problem, saying it is also “politicians who cosy up to these people, get…
Dublin now has the lowest percentage of Catholics in the Republic, according to census data released this week. The Central Statistics Office revealed that just over half – 53% – of Dubliners ticked the ‘Catholic’ box in the 2022 census of population. Overall, the figures reveal that just 69% of Irish people now describe themselves…
The iconic Angelus bell will remain on RTÉ as the broadcaster gears up to unveil a new-look Angelus this week. The launch of the new set of reflective films in RTÉ One’s Angelus slots takes place today, June 1 at 6pm. The six films will run year-round except on Advent and Christmas when there will be two…
Leaders of a university teachers’ union are to raise concerns with Mary Immaculate College (MIC) authorities after this newspaper revealed that staff feel they are being kept “in the dark” over a historic alignment process with another college. A spokesperson for the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) said the body “intend to discuss the…
People not expecting to pay a donation for Baptisms and weddings is “not fair” on parishioners who regularly support their local church, priests have said. It is “common sense” that parish churches need financial assistance to survive, said Fr Michael Toomey, saying people forget “you have to heat and light and insure the church”. Parishioners…
Despite “understandable” concerns about housing and homelessness Irish people are still welcoming to asylum seekers particularly when meeting them face to face, a Wicklow-based priest has insisted. Fr Donal Roche PP of Wicklow, Kilbride and Barndarrig told The Irish Catholic a large number of asylum seekers are now living in Wicklow Town but he has…
An Irish missionary who educates Syrian refugees in his school in Tyre has described the failure of Lebanese officials to renew his residency permit for months as “cruel” and called on the Irish Government to intervene. The process requires Rosminian priest Fr William Stuart to submit his passport to ‘General Security’, which means he can’t…
The Irish bishops’ conference has released new sexual education resources to help teachers present Catholic teaching on RSE in secondary schools. The move comes after the Minster for Education signed off on a controversial new curriculum for social, personal and health education (SPHE), which includes relationship and sexual education (RSE). A final draft of the…
Chai Brady