The Irish Government has said it remains “gravely concerned” regarding the situation of a bishop jailed by Nicaraguan authorities. In response to a parliamentary question from Carol Nolan TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the detention of Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos of Matagalpa diocese was “unacceptable”. The dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega…

A mentality of seeking “either priests or laity” is a fatal logic for the life of the Church, Archbishop Dermot Farrell warned on Vocations Sunday, April 30. Reflecting that most reflection on the scarcity of vocations has been “either-or”, the archbishop of Dublin said Christ’s way is “both-and”. “We pray for servants of the Gospel…

Two school debating teams go head-to-head this week in the All-Ireland final of Concern Debates, after over 175 school teams participated this year. Students from Largy College, Monaghan and The High School, Dublin, will contest the final, chaired by RTÉ presenter and sustainability expert Fionnuala Moran. Largy college will oppose the motion, ‘For the Global…

Created to allow “even more children to see themselves in Barbie,” toy company Mattel has launched its first ever doll with Down’s Syndrome. The toy-giant is partnering with the US’s National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to bring the doll to market. In consultation with the NDSS and medical professionals, Mattel incorporated a number of elements…

A Co. Tyrone community has been left “numb” by the crash which claimed the lives of three members of the same family, Fr Declan Boland said at the funeral for two siblings. Dan and Christine McKane and their aunt Julia McSorley were killed when the minibus they were travelling in was in a collision with…

During a Dáil debate, TD Paul Murphy requested an amendment to the controversial hate crime bill that would have weakened protection for religious discourse. The amendment, which Mr Murphy said would remove “as a defence for hate speech material that something is a reasonable and genuine contribution to religious discourse”, was turned down during the…

Thousands took to the streets in Dublin to protest against the “extreme” recommendations in the review of Ireland’s abortion law on Monday, May 1. The marchers walked from St Stephen’s Green to Leinster House, where speakers including Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD, Dr Kirsten Fuller and Wendy Grace, criticised the review, which was released last…

The pain of the North’s past must be processed through the lens of truth and not in manner politically expedient for the strong, Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown has said. To build a future for people, the North needs an “honest story about the past with its highs and lows”, said Bishop McKeown at a…

Dublin archbishop hopes Stardust inquest brings closure The archbishop of Dublin has said he hopes the inquest into the deaths of 48 people in the Stardust fire will reveal the truth about the disaster. The blaze at the Stardust Ballroom in Artane in the north of Dublin city occurred in the early hours of Valentine’s…