Priests around the country expressed relief as limits on capacity at churches were lifted last Friday, October 22. However, some priests added that people are still “wary and cautious” as cases continue to remain high. “Life is good again,” said Fr Tom Walsh of Gurranabraher, Co. Cork, adding that “we’re doing what we’re supposed to…
Category: Irish News
Prince Harry should give the talk about mental health a break – psychiatrist
One of Ireland’s leading psychiatrists has warned that interventions by Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, risk triviliasing the experiences of people who are mentally-ill. Prof. Patricia Casey told The Irish Catholic that she was worried that the couple’s high-profile role and comments about mental health risk making people think that…
VC launches online training platform for missionaries
Irish faith-based NGO Viatores Christi (VC) recently launched an online training platform, UPSKILLS, for missionaries, development and humanitarian aid workers. Upskills is a suite of “affordable, easily accessible and practical online training courses” aimed at helping such workers in their missions. “The online platform of self-conducted courses has been developed in response to a growing…
Fr Shay Cullen praised in Dáil for work tackling sex crime
Fr Shay Cullen was praised for his work tackling sexual crimes against children by Fianna Fáil TD Cormac Devlin as he relaunched the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2018. Speaking in the Dáil October 19, Mr Devlin acknowledged Fr Cullen’s “distinguished record of working with women and children in the Philippines to protect them from sex…
Church leaders pledge to work harder for reconciliation
Archbishop Eamon Martin has said that the Churches could have done more to aid peace and reconciliation in Ireland. Speaking at a service of reflection and hope in Armagh this morning (Thursday), Archbishop Martin referred to the centenary of partition saying: “When I look back on what happened on this island in 1921, like many…
‘New Irish’ will transform and renew Church here – missionaries
Young Catholic immigrants coming from countries where there is more active lay participation in parishes have a vital role in shaping a renewed Church here, missionaries have said. Sr Kathleen McGarvey of the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Apostles told The Irish Catholic that she is confident that Catholics from abroad who are making…
Bishop to send report on ‘hot button’ issues to Rome
Bishop of Killala John Fleming will send a report to the Vatican outlining the views of Catholics in his diocese who want the Church to change on so-called “hot button” issues such as the ordination of women and the inclusion of gay people. Dr Fleming (73) gave the commitment as part of a listening process…
State decimating fishing families, says Donegal priest
Fr John Joe Duffy warned that the Department of Marine has “stood over a legacy of decimating the fishing industry” and “hard-working fishing families”. Speaking at the launch of the documentary The Fisher’s Voice, Fr Duffy called the department “the anti-fishing department” due to its legacy of decimating the fishing industry. “But they’re not just…
Bishops express both fear and optimism as synodal process begins
Ireland’s Catholic leaders have urged for constructive collective discernment to be used across Ireland’s dioceses as the Church in Ireland commences its two-year Synodal Pathway, which will eventually lead to a National Synodal Assembly in Ireland. Speaking at the launch of a We Are Church online event on the National Synodal Assembly, Bishop Paul Dempsey…
Modern Budgets neglect ‘social capital’, economist says
The recent Budget continues to neglect the needs of “people and families”, prominent economist Professor Ray Kinsella has said. “Social capital…these days is actually far more important than financial capital,” Prof. Kinsella told The Irish Catholic, noting that Ireland has no “social-economic core” to the Budget. Prof. Kinsella’s comments come amid claims that the most…

Ruadhán Jones



Michael Kelly
Chai Brady



