Sofia Zate The Society of St Vincent de Paul has released its 2024 pre-budget submission, highlighting its recommendations for the upcoming national budget. Announcing the submission, President Rose McGowan stressed that “The last 18 months have been an incredibly difficult time for those that seek our help and a very busy time for our members…
A charity that represents Catholic schools has highlighted that parents have a right to withdraw schoolchildren fully or in-part from any new sex education classes for secondary schools. Regarding the draft Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP) expressed disappointment “the spiritual aspect of wellbeing has been neglected” as well as…
A bill to introduce ‘safe access zones’ around abortion providers appears to exempt hospitals with chapels within the building, TD Michael McNamara has said. The bill, which bans pro-life prayer and demonstration around abortion providers, may exempt the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street and St Vincent’s University Hospital, according to Mr McNamara. A section…
Sr Catherine Lillis, a Columban sister and founder of Tabor House in Navan – which assists people struggling with addiction – was presented with the Papal Medal and parchment, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice [For Church and Pope] by Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan. Taking place on July 8 at St Mary’s Church, Navan, Co. Kildare,…
An Aontú member who was targeted in a believed sectarian arson attack said it “could have killed me”. The car of Sharon Loughran, who is based in Newry, Co. Down, was set alight at about 3.15am on July 12. Ms Loughran said she was awoken to the sound of “an inferno” and looked out her…
Fr Nicholas (Jim) Irwin has been remembered as a “great support” and a “wonderful person” following his death last week. Following an illness, Fr Irwin, PP of Gortnahoe/Glengoole, Co. Tipperary, died peacefully surrounded by family. Offering his condolences Fr Seamus Bohan PP of Tynagh, Loughrea, Co. Galway said: “Sincere sympathy to the Irwin family on…
Bishop Doran criticizes use of cluster bombs The use of ‘cluster bombs’ is “immoral”, Bishop Kevin Doran has said after US President Joe Biden gave cluster bombs to Ukraine as they repel the Russian invasion. Bishop Doran affirmed Ukraine’s right to defend their people against Russian armed forces in a July 9 statement. However, there…
From this September on Ukrainian Greek Catholics in Ireland will celebrate Christmas, Easter and other major feasts on the same day as western Churches, it was announced on Sunday, July 16. Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, who has responsibility for Ukrainian Catholics in Ireland and the UK, said he will support “our local churches in Ireland to…
Chai Brady, Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Hundreds of young Irish Catholics attending World Youth Day in Portugal have been urged to return home as missionaries and rebuild youth ministry, which was deeply impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Approximately 1,500 young people from Ireland will be involved in official pilgrimages to World Youth Day in…
Negotiations between Mary Immaculate College (MIC) and University of Limerick (UL) are “about us, but without us” MIC staff have warned, as they urge senior management to consult with them on linkage talks. Discussions between MIC and UL have been ongoing since last year, but MIC’s union representatives said that “discussions have been ‘about us,…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones