Fifteen volunteer catechists were commissioned for service in the Diocese of Elphin by Bishop Kevin Doran at Mass in Sligo Cathedral over the weekend. Known as ‘Partners in the Gospel’, the catechists are lay parishioners from parishes across the diocese who have completed a four-year formation programme, including academic studies in Theology and Catechetics at…

Former apostolic nuncio to Ireland, US Archbishop Charles Brown [pictured], has been appointed as the new apostolic nuncio to the Philippines. The Pope transferred Archbishop Brown from his current role as apostolic nuncio to Albania, to head the Vatican’s diplomatic mission to the Philippines in Manila. The post in the Philippines has been vacant since…

Border communities are fearful of a return to tensions in the region if Britain goes ahead with a threat to break a treaty agreeing a frictionless frontier, the country’s newest bishop has warned. Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes told The Irish Catholic he was aware that priests and parishioners in border parishes were nervous that…

Assisted suicide and euthanasia have been described as “an assault on most vulnerable in our society” by leading theologian Prof. Eamonn Conway. It comes on the heels of People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny’s launch of a Dying with Dignity Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted suicide. The bill is currently before the Dáil, with…

The Department of Health has confirmed that since the pandemic hit Ireland there has been just one outbreak in the Republic connected with a church, but the religious denomination was not specified. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre “does not collect data on attendance at church or religious denomination for individual cases of Covid-19”, according to…

The community of Carrick-on-suir, Co. Tipperary, were “thrilled” as local Sam Bennett became the first Irishman to win a major jersey at the Tour de France since 1989. The 29-year-old beat off a challenge from world champion Mads Pedersen to secure victory on the final stage of the Tour de France, having already claimed the…

A controversial Irish priest who has been in a dispute with the Vatican for several years over his views on priesthood and the Eucharist has rejected a plan from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that would have restored him to public ministry. Redemptorist Fr Tony Flannery has been forbidden to exercise public ministry…

TD Peadar Tóibín has criticised the Government for “dragging its feet” over a “black-and-white” case of injustice after a child was aborted last year following a false diagnosis. In March last year, a family was told that their unborn child had a fatal foetal abnormality by a member of staff at the National Maternity Hospital.…

A virtual pilgrimage to Lourdes organised by the Oblates in Inchicore, Co. Dublin, started over the weekend and continued into this week. Due to Covid-19 the pilgrimage was postponed for 2020. However, their virtual offering began on the evening of Saturday, September 19 and finished on Wednesday, it was based on the theme ‘Bringing Lourdes Home’. A statement…

The new bishop of Kilmore diocese has said that despite the Church being “thrown into chaos” due to Covid-19 “we go forward into the unknown” trusting in Christ. Bishop Martin Hayes was ordained on Sunday, September 20 at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim in Cavan. The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon…