Irish Senator Rónán Mullen has said there was much to admire in Ann Widdecombe’s faith following the former MP’s suspected murder last week at the age of 78. Senator Mullen writes in this paper that her “fearlessness and her willingness to speak up for the most defenceless of human beings” are very commendable. Ms Widdecombe…
Category: Irish News
Bishops thank Archbishop Montemayor for guidance and support upon resignation
Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor has resigned, as announced by Pope Leo XIV on July 11, and bishops around the country have expressed their gratitude for the nuncio’s involvement and support since his appointment in February 2023. The Bishops of the Tuam Ecclesiastical province, including Archbishop Francis Duffy, Bishop Kevin Doran, and…
Kilmore Diocese sees a opportunity in vocations crisis
Almost half of Kilmore Diocese’s priests are over 70 years old, Bishop Martin Hayes said when announcing summer clergy appointments. This means that “the task of providing priests for each parish into the future in Kilmore Diocese is challenging and amounts to a crisis.” The bishop, however, sees a opportunity in the crisis. He said…
Spark for youth along Croagh Patrick Youth Pilgrimage
On Monday, over 30 young people aged 13-20 partook in the Croagh Patrick Youth Pilgrimage led by Fr Eamon Roche. Many involved were from a local youth faith camp, Camp Creidamh and from the local Diocese of Cloyne. Deacon John McCarthy assisted Fr Roche throughout the day. He explained that pilgrimage is about transformation. “We’re…
Church seeks to keep Europe faithful to its founding purpose, says COMECE president
The Catholic Church is not seeking to advance its own interests within the European Union but to help the bloc remain faithful to the values on which it was founded, COMECE President Bishop Mariano Crociata has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic after meeting Taoiseach Micheál Martin as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council…
Young adults’ search for meaning and God at youth conference is ‘heartening’, says vocations director
“From a vocations perspective, I was heartened by the desire that is in the hearts of young people”, said keynote speaker and Down and Connor vocations director Fr Conor McGrath about the ‘Made for More’ youth conference which took place at Whitefriar Street Church on July 12. In his talk during the conference, Fr McGrath…
Bonfire of replica mosque ‘grossly offensive’, Armagh Archbishops
“The targeting of the Muslim community through crude symbols and threats of violence by sinister forces undermines these Gospel principles of respect and compassion as well as freedom of religion which is a fundamental principle of a democratic society,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, and Archbishop John…
Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union : July – December 2026
Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a time of significant challenges and uncertainty, both within the EU and globally. Calls for responses to emerging issues and for reforms of existing policies are growing stronger. In this context, we recognise the efforts of the Irish Presidency to advance key initiatives…
Festival celebrates art in honour of Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins
The 38th annual Gerard Manley Hopkins International Festival is set to be held from July 24 to July 30 at Newbridge College in Co. Kildare. The festival, dedicated to Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins, celebrates his interest of poetry, painting, music, philosophy and conservation as well as his mentor John Henry Newman. Throughout the week, these…
Monastic profession takes place in Co. Waterford abbey
The community of Glencairn Abbey celebrated the first profession of three novices last Sunday. The solemn monastic profession of Sr Beatrice Brady, at St Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn, Co. Waterford, took place on July 12. Presiding over the ceremony was Dom Michael Ryan, Abbot of Bolton Abbey, Co. Kildare and Dom Augustine McGregor, former Abbot of…

Renata Steffens









