The Church in Ireland claims credit for listening to survivors, but doesn’t hear them, survivors of abuse in the Church who took part in the synodal process have said. Eight survivors took part in the synod on the invitation of the Oversight Committee Towards Peace, a spiritual support group for people who experienced abuse in…
The Church stops listening to the voice of the Lord when it follows cultural changes and ceases “to be a stone in society’s shoe”, according to Bishop Donal McKeown of the Diocese of Derry. In his homily on Sunday Bishop McKeown said that Jesus “challenges our cosy assumptions” about God and being Christ’s follower, and…
Online shops that sell rosaries have reported a leap in sales after a controversial article published in The Atlantic attempted to link the centuries-old practice to right-wing extremism. CEO of popular online shop Rugged Rosaries, Shannon Doty, told CNA that she saw a “pretty good boost in sales” after the article went to print. Ms…
Derry clerical changes announced The clerical changes for Derry diocese have been announced, to come into effect August 28. Two priests, Fr Colum Clerkin PP Culmore and Msgr Andrew Dolan PP Ballyscullion are to retire, while Fr Chris Ferguson and Fr James Devine are taking a leave of absence. Fr Pat O’Hagan PP Moville has…
There were smiles aplenty as Knock Shrine’s national novena returned for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic. The novena opened on Sunday, August 14, with Mass celebrated by Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan, concluding Monday August 22 with Archbishop of Tuam Francis Duffy celebrating Mass. A variety of speakers addressed the thousands of…
Wanted: Ireland’s Volunteer of the Year Nominations have opened for the 2022 Volunteer Ireland Awards and the public is being asked to nominate Ireland’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’. The Volunteer Ireland Awards take place annually and celebrate the “immense contribution volunteers make to communities across Ireland”, a statement from the company said. Volunteer Ireland CEO,…
Ireland is a “haven” for human traffickers, with a “huge number” of them exploiting women, children and men, people working with survivors have warned. Serious concern has also been expressed at the failure of authorities to identify victims of child trafficking. Sr Eilis Coe RSC warned that there is a “huge demand” for the buying…
Religious sisters with a charism of carrying out door-to-door visitations have recently arrived in Ireland from the US, providing encouragement and support to already-busy priests. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Sister Theresa Marie of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate said that their experience so far has been “very encouraging” and that it’s been…
Sectarianism is more widespread than the actions of a few young people and political parties who “foment confrontation as a political weapon” bear their share of responsibility, Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry has said. His comments come in the wake of a controversial bonfire in Derry in which poppy wreaths, Union flags and an image…
A letter from over 500 young Catholics challenging the synod on a perceived desire among young people for liberal reform is on the agenda for the next meeting of the Irish bishops’ conference. Oisín Bridges, one of the letter’s organisers, said it is a “great sign” of leadership, to take on board the views of…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady