The Government is not giving equal treatment to churches over proposed energy grants, a number of priests have said, warning it could lead to church closures. Churches will not receive grants to be given to businesses, schools and public amenities proposed as an emergency measure to tackle the energy crisis. “I think it’s wrong,” said…
An Irish Dominican priest has said he regularly gets mistaken for a Halloween reveller in costume when walking the streets this time of year. Dublin-based Fr Conor McDonough OP said that he gets a lot of compliments for his very authentic ‘costume’ but the interactions can be good opportunities for evangelisation. Taking to social media…
Confusion reigns over whether a letter by more than 500 young Catholics challenging a perceived desire among young people for liberal reform was in fact discussed at the recent meeting of the hierarchy as planned. This newspaper previously reported that the organisers of the letter were assured by the bishops’ conference that the letter was…
Staff Reporter The hierarchy of the ACP have criticised Archbishop-emeritus Diarmuid Martin for not offering a cup of tea when they visited the archbishop’s house. The retired Archbishop of Dublin was praised at first for his engagement with priests, with Fr John Murphy PE describing him as “an extraordinarily generous man”. He added later that…
Ukrainian bishop Kenneth Nowakowski has praised the Irish response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, and said that it’s important to raise awareness of the current accommodation difficulties before people arrive. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, the Ukrainian apostolic visitor to Ireland Bishop Nowakowski said that there’s nothing he can say that would be critical…
The parish priest of Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, said there was “huge excitement” when boxer Aoife O’Rourke returned to the town following her gold medal win. The middleweight European champion was warmly welcomed by hundreds of people back to her hometown following her success over the weekend. Fr John McManus told The Irish Catholic “there’s a…
Staff Reporter Statistics released to Aontú under the Freedom of Information Act show that 357 homeless people have died in Dublin since 2018, with 70 deaths recorded in the capital so far this year. Commenting on the finding, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD said that the housing minister should feel a “deep sense of shame”.…
Irish missionaries have warned that many people could die of starvation in South Sudan if they don’t receive food and medicine urgently. They have called on Ireland to aid the most vulnerable “to keep them alive”. Flooding and the legacy of a bitter civil war have left the African nation facing “hard times”, Irish Spiritain…
Iona Institute NI spokeswoman Mary Lewis has described as “undemocratic” and “heavy-handed” the Secretary of State’s announcement that the UK government will commission abortion in the North. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Ms Lewis said that many in Northern Ireland are “overwhelmingly against” the introduction of abortion, and that it’s clear that NI Secretary…
The Irish bishops’ conference have shot down a proposal to set up regional arbitration panels to help priests when they face canonical or legal issues. The panels, proposed by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), would have facilitated “respectful dialogue” between priests, “competent experts in relevant disciplines” and bishops. In a letter sent to all…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady