A Latin Mass community has announced the “very good news” they’ve bought a former Presbyterian church in Belfast, thanks to financial support from an anonymous family. The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest are jubilant as they start a “new beginning” at Fortwilliam and Macrory church. The family, from the UK, gave them an…
Category: Irish News
New saint would’ve opposed Brexit – prominent priest
Michael Kelly in Rome St John Henry Newman – who was canonised at the weekend – would have opposed Britain leaving the European Union, the man charged with promoting his sainthood cause has said. Speaking in Rome on the eve of the canonisation, Fr Ignatius Harrison insisted that Newman “would have been a Remainer”.…
Former SU president criticises UCD for ‘Catholic-phobia’
Claire Fitzpatrick Well-known pro-life advocate Katie Ascough has described her experience of UCD as being underlined by an “anti-religious” sentiment following their belated decision to send a representative to the canonisation of the university’s founder St John Henry Newman in Rome on October 13. The university had attributed its secularity as reason not to send…
Rugby giant Aki prays with Samoan team after Irish victory
Irish rugby giant Bundee Aki was photographed praying with Samoan players after an incredible Irish win over the weekend. Despite Samoa’s 47-5 defeat, there didn’t seem to be hard feelings after the match as Aki embraced and prayed with the Samoan team. Aki, who has Samoan origins, received a red card for a dangerous high…
Politicians urged to restore NI govt before abortion is legalised
Pro-life political party Aontu have been calling people to push their representatives to restore Stormont before Westminster imposes legal abortion in the North of Ireland. The all-Ireland party organised several meetings this week to raise awareness of the October 21 deadline, after which abortion will be legal. Leader of the party and former Sinn Féin…
Irish Ombudsman pushes Portugal to pay nuns
Three Irish nuns who stopped receiving pension payments from Portugal for six months after returning home were assisted by the Ombudsman who sorted the payment issue. The nuns had returned to Ireland after spending decades in Portugal providing education and care to disadvantaged people when the payments stopped. The religious congregation in Ireland explained to…
Parishioners asked to share views on local Church
Bishop Francis Duffy has called for public submissions on the future of the Church in the Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnois. Following a meeting last month, Bishop Duffy has begun a consultation to learn people’s views on the future of the local Church. “For the listening process to be robust I am now inviting views…
Newman canonised as calls grow to name him ‘Doctor of the Church’
Saints are people who recognised their need for God’s help, who took risks to discover God’s will and to help others and who nurtured a habit of thanksgiving, according to Pope Francis. “The culmination of the journey of faith is to live a life of continual thanksgiving. Let us ask ourselves: Do we, as people…
Pope’s pick for new bishop defies talk of diocesan demise
The appointment of Bishop Michael Duignan to head the Diocese of Clonfert is “hugely significant” as a vote of confidence by Pope Francis in the future of the diocese, worshippers at the new bishop’s ordination Mass have been told. Preaching in St Brendan’s Cathedral, Loughrea, Msgr Cathal Geraghty noted how the initial announcement of Bishop…
Govt caves in to pressure over Canonisation ‘no show’
Following intense pressure from The Irish Catholic newspaper and lobbying from diplomatic and political circles the Irish Government late Tuesday belatedly announced it will send the Minister for Education to Rome for the Canonisation of Cardinal Newman on Sunday. Pressure was building on the Government after it emerged that Prince Charles and a dozen MPs…