Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that places of worship in the Republic can increase capacity to 50% from September 6, but that mask-wearing will continue to be the norm – at least for now. Social distancing will also remain in force in churches for at least six weeks. The increased capacity is expected to allow…
A leading support organisation for pregnant women has launched a campaign to promote more positive reactions around pregnancy after clients reported experiencing negative reactions. Crisis pregnancy organisation Gianna Care decided to launch the initiative following reports from client of off-putting and derogatory comments from family members, friends and work colleagues. Gianna Care Director Carolyn O’Meara…
Catholic schools have rigorous protocols in place to remain open after they return next week, despite concerns about Covid-19, parents have been assured. “We’ve been here before, we’re used to dealing with this particular situation,” Seamus Mulconry of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) told The Irish Catholic this week. He said that “cautious confidence…
After a report on workplace deaths from 2011-2020 showed that 40% took place on farms, Fr Paddy Byrne urged farmers to be “cautious and careful” during the harvest season. Fr Byrne, who leads an annual prayer service to commemorate farm deaths, said that deaths on farms are “unfortunately much too frequent in Ireland”. “There is…
The bishop of Limerick congratulated the hurling team on their win, adding that there are many lessons outside of sport to be gleaned from their achievements. In a statement, Bishop Brendan Leahy praised the “profound” message coming from the squad and the backroom staff – that together “we can climb mountains”. “For me, there was…
The Islamist terror group’s return to power in Afghanistan will embolden extremists worldwide, the director of Aid to the Church in Need Ireland has said, putting vulnerable Christians at even more risk. The failure of the US and its allies in Afghanistan “validates” the ambitions of Islamists worldwide, Dr Michael Kinsella said. “Other Islamists will…
A Church whistleblower has taken aim at clericalism in a recent book, and says that it’s the “abuse of power” that enables and condones other forms of abuse in the Catholic Church. Author of the new book, Cardinal Sin: Challenging power abuse in the Catholic Church, and abuse survivor, Brian Devlin says that a “new…
Archbishop Michael Neary has appealed to priests not to lose heart, despite the fact that their pastoral ministry has been curtailed by Covid-19 restrictions. Speaking as the Tuam priests gathered for their delayed Chrism Mass, Dr Neary insisted that “to lose heart would be to forget the treasure with which we have been entrusted and…
Fr Ignatius McQuillan, who secretly played for Fermanagh after his ordination, has died aged 90. Fr Iggy – as he was known – was a county footballer at the time of his ordination in 1955. As was customary at the time, he was asked to cease his career, but he continued playing under the name…
NET Ministries is looking forward to a return to “face-to-face” mission following a year of limited in-person missionary work, according to Executive Director of NET Ministries Ireland, Tony Foy. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mr Foy said the coming mission year is a “different approach to last year”, but that they’re equally eager to get…
Michael Kelly
Ruadhán Jones