A prominent Northern priest has spoken of being moved by “an incredible response” after he revealed that the holy oil container he had used since his ordination was stolen over the weekend. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Passionist Fr Gary Donegan, who became a household name when helping shield schoolchildren from loyalist mobs during 2001’s…
Category: Irish News
Waterford penal-times church re-opens
An Irish Church that existed in the penal times has been re-opened in Waterford, with a new footpath to it blessed by Bishop Phonsie Cullinan. Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church on Jenkin’s Lane throughout the 18th Century when Catholics suffered severe persecution. The earliest Mass recorded there happened in 1704. A large number…
Climate strikes inadequate compared to concrete action – principals
Catholic schools must take concrete action in tackling climate change, not just engage in protests, according to Irish principals. The climate strike organised on September 20 is a continuation of strikes aimed to raise awareness of human impacts on the environment and the need for sustainable practices. Schoolchildren have been at the forefront of these…
Global mission to be theme of top cardinal’s AMRI address
A top Vatican cardinal is to address Irish religious next month on the Church’s missionary role in the wider world. Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, the first head of the Holy See’s new ‘super-dicastery’, the Office for Promoting Integral Human Development, will speak on the theme of ‘Mission Today in Our Common Home’ at the Autumn…
Farmers support age restrictions on pornography – poll
Farmers are heavily in favour of age-restrictions on pornography, with only 3% believing there should be free access. An Irish Examiner/ICMSA poll of farmers and farming families found that 72% believe strongly there should be age restrictions, with 14% slightly agreeing. Support for the restriction was similar across all age groups, peaking among people aged…
Happy mams mean happy families – research
Mothers have a vital role in children’s mental health and families staying together, new research suggests. According to a study by the UK’s Marriage Foundation in conjunction with Lincoln University, a mother’s happiness is nearly twice as important as a father’s when it comes to family life and the chances of a couple staying together.…
RTÉ Cork closure plans ‘calculated’ move by Dublin
Reforms to RTÉ should not come at a cost to the national broadcaster’s regional public service role, Senator Rónán Mullen has said. Responding to statements that RTÉ is considering selling its Cork Leeside studio, the independent senator said this looked like “a calculated act of limited self-preservation for a model of operations that is already…
IC to embark on next Holy Land pilgrimage
Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin will lead a special Christian Solidarity Pilgrimage to the Holy Land from February 16, 2020 for eight nights. Visiting Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem and the other sites associated with the life of Jesus, the trip will be a unique opportunity to experience the Holy Land with experienced guides. Co-ordinated by The…
The voice of the people must not be ignored
The Irish Catholic Editorial view Marches and demonstrations in the North have long been controversial and divisive. The ‘marching season’ was often a byword for violence and tension between the two communities. That’s what makes the huge pro-life demonstrations in Belfast at the weekend all the more remarkable. On Friday night, some 20,000 people…
Public denied as pro-life movie is ‘frozen out’ by Irish distributors
Distributors are “freezing out” promoters of a major pro-life film, according to promoters, making it likely many Irish cinema-goers won’t be able to view it locally. UnPlanned has already been viewed by about two million people across 12 countries and tells the story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director and her decision…