Bishop Paul Dempsey has said the founder of the Legion of Mary Frank Duff would be “appalled” by polarisation in the Church and by those who criticise Pope Francis. Speaking at Mass at Knock Shrine on Sunday to mark the centenary of the founding of the Legion, Bishop Dempsey praised Mr Duff for his visionary…
The Irish Catholic bishop’s council for vocations is founding a ‘house of discernment/formation’ in a bid to attract new vocations to the priesthood. Chairman of the council Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said the house will provide “a group of like-minded people with whom they can really get to the bottom of the discernment process”. “We know…
There has been increased interest in priestly vocations during the pandemic, according to some diocesan vocation directors. Fr Ruairi O’Domhnaill, vocations director in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin told The Irish Catholic that “all of a sudden” there has been “great interest”. “All kinds of people have been getting in contact with me like…
Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan, reflected on what he described as the “fundamental” influence that the Legion of Mary has had in the Church in Ireland at its centenary celebration at the Cathedral of Christ the King, in Mullingar. The Mass on September 20 was attended by legionaries from branches throughout the Diocese of Meath.…
Just four men started studying for the priesthood for Ireland’s 26 dioceses this autumn, with a further two Neocatechumenal Way students entering that movement’s seminary in Dundalk for the Archdiocese of Armagh. When ordained, Neocatechumenal students traditionally serve for a period in the diocese before being reassigned overseas. A further ten men began a pre-seminary…
The sisters were praised for embodying the mission of welcome and care, at a thanksgiving Mass held September 19. The Marist sisters are leaving the parish of St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, where they had ministered since 1986, invited by then-Bishop Cahal Daly. The first sisters moved in to the parish and lived in the flats…
The Archbishop of Dublin praised the “outgoing Order” for reflecting “spiritual realities”, at the September 25 ceremony. Archbishop Dermot Farrell called on the new knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre “to witness to the life of Christ, with its good news and its hope”. The seven new knights were: James…
The Catholic Women’s Conference held in Cork September 18 was run “by women, for women”, one of the organisers said. Anita Sheahan, outreach minister for the Dominican’s in St Mary’s Church, Cork City, said that more than 100 women attended the conference in person. “It was a great success, the speakers were all fantastic,” Ms…
The Diocese of Dromore has vowed that it will commit whatever resources are available to a new redress scheme for survivors of clerical sexual abuse. Archbishop Eamon Martin made the commitment in Newry today (Wednesday) while announcing the formation of an independent panel and insisted that the process will be managed by a third party…
Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh has joined with leaders of other Christian traditions in Ireland in appealing for “prayerful support” from congregations for a service to mark the centenary of partition after it provoked controversy. The ceremony is due to be held in Armagh, October 21, and was due to be attended by Britain’s Queen…
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