Homelessness charity Focus Ireland have welcomed the Government’s extension of the current protections for renters until August 1, adding there is a “pressing need” to continue the supports. Government ministers have expressed hopes they will have new legislation in place which will enable the measures to continue. Focus Ireland Policy Coordinator Rosemary Hennigan said the…

A Derry parish has suspended Mass after two parishioners tested positive for coronavirus having attending a family gathering. Fr Neil Farren of Ardmore parish announced the “sad news” in a video on the parish Facebook page. Speaking in the video, Fr Farren said: “I have sad news to relate to you at this time. We…

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has insisted that the failure to protect residents in nursing homes from coronavirus must be fully investigated. “The deaths in nursing homes and the failures of the Government is a national scandal and must be examined and investigated to ensure that they never occur again,” he told The Irish Catholic. Of…

Jason 
Osborne Doras, a Limerick-based migrant and refugee support organisation, has raised renewed concerns over the safety of residents in Direct Provision following the report of alleged sexual assault in an accommodation centre. “People fleeing harm should not be exposed to further harm when they arrive here in Ireland,” said Doras CEO, John Lannon. “The…

Prof. Patricia Casey has described as “ludicrous” new plans by the Minister for Children to legalise the self-declaration of gender for children, and called for a proper, open debate on the issue. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Prof. Casey said that “it’s ludicrous to be giving the choice of such a momentous procedure to children and…

Churches should be treated like any other institution when it comes to covid grants, said Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill. Deputy Cahill told The Irish Catholic that Churches loss of income and expenses accrued as a result of lockdown should be taken into account. “Like many other institutions, Churches’ sources of income have been greatly restricted,” said…

Free speech specialist and lawyer Ivan Hare has attacked proposals which could “suppress expression which is at the heart of political debate” in the North. The proposals are set out in a recent review of the region’s ‘hate crime’ laws, spearheaded by Judge Desmond Marrinan. Mr Hare wrote in an article for The Christian Institute that proposals…

Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty has announced a range of fresh diocesan appointments Fr Ruairí Ó’Domhnaill Adm. cathedral to become PP Newbridge in succession to Fr Paul Dempsey, Bishop-elect of Achonry. Fr Liam Morgan PP Naas, Sallins, Two Mile House to become VF north deanery, retaining responsibility for parish renewal and development. Fr…

Citizens’ Assembly is merely ‘a means to shape public opinion’ and cut constitutional thread Senator Ronan Mullen has called for the Church to engage families in light of Government plans that could “kick the Church out of education”. He said that the aim of the new Government to hold a Citizens’ Assembly on education is…

Bishop Donal McKeown has said it is unclear if parishes can actually baptise children and criticised the “lack of clarity” from the Northern Ireland Executive. Bishop McKeown said that many parents have been “crying out” to have their child baptised, which had been explicitly banned under lockdown. Highlighting the confusion around the changing rules, Bishop…