Staff reporter Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry diocese has said that he believes all information held by the Church in relation to the Claudy bombing in Derry has been handed to authorities. The late Fr James Chesney was said to have been involved in the attack which killed nine civilians and injured 30 when three…

A new study from Queen’s University Belfast shows that being Catholic is one the “main factors” in speaking Irish in the North. The report, which draws on census data from the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study, shows that 91% of people who were raised Catholic have knowledge of the Irish language. Catholics are four times more…

The Primate of All-Ireland has written to the North’s Equality Commission after The Belfast Telegraph refused to publish an advert from the northern bishops without changes to text expressing the Church’s stance on abortion. Archbishop Eamon Martin of the Diocese of Armagh highlighted the implications for faith-based groups and their participation in public life. He…

Pro-life groups have condemned the move by cabinet to approve the introduction of legislation on so-called ‘safe access zones’ around healthcare facilities that can provide abortion. The legislation proposes 100-metre zones around abortion providers in which pro-life demonstrations, even prayer vigils, would be banned and those involved could face a fine or imprisonment. The Life…

Parishes and schools in Kenya and Waterford are forging links for their “mutual enrichment”, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan has said. Bishop Cullinan along with representatives from the diocese and Mary’s Meals visited the diocese of Lodwar, Northern Kenya, in July to establish outreach programmes to the region. “This is an arid and…

We must not lose hope “through this time of transition and restructuring”, Archbishop Francis Duffy told pilgrims ahead of the Reek Sunday climb up Croagh Patrick. Speaking at the Vigil Mass in St Mary’s Church, Westport, Co. Mayo, the archbishop of Tuam said that now is a “time for faith, faith into action, faith into…

The Catholic Grandparent’s Association held its pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, July 24. Grandparents from around the country gathered at the Eucharistic and Marian Shrine to celebrate the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Mass was celebrated in the basilica by Archbishop Francis Duffy, patron of the CGA.

Travellers’ pride at Kerry Mass The Traveller community has voiced its hope that the first ever Traveller Pride Mass celebrated in St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, July 19, will become an annual event. After the Mass, the organiser Richard O’Brien added that he hopes the Mass can be replicated in around the country, bringing the Traveller…

The example of Irish missionaries martyred by communist forces during the Korean war could help renew the Faith in Ireland, a priest working on their cause has said. Six Irish Columban fathers and two missionaries of Irish descent died as “witnesses of modern and contemporary faith” during the conflict in Korea which lasted from 1950-1953.…

A disgruntled listener to RTÉ has failed in his bid to silence Christmas carols on the national broadcaster. Eoghan Ua Conaill, who described himself as non-Christian, complained to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) that he felt “stigmatised” by the popular Christmas carol O Holy Night being played on the station last Christmas. His complaint…