Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan has described the Government’s decision to criminalise people attending Mass as “foolish” and warned that it sets a “worrying precedent”. It comes as politicians from all sides have stepped up pressure on the Government in the Republic to permit people to return to Mass as…

Famed Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s contribution to Christendom is “insurmountable” and cannot be underestimated as a renewed appreciation of his work commemorates the 700th anniversary of his death. Fr John Harris OP of Newbridge told The Irish Catholic that the role his works have played in art and literature was to “open up the visage…

A Belfast priest has voiced his disappointment after a flag showing loyalist killer Michael Stone was put up near Holy Cross Girls’ School in Ardoyne. Rector at Holy Cross Ardoyne, Fr Eugene McCarthy told The Irish Catholic the incident wasn’t representative of the Loyalist community. “I think it could be an embarrassment to the Loyalist people to…

During Holy Week the Faithful should keep Myanmar in their prayers as violent crackdowns on protests against a military coup have led to the deaths of hundreds of people, an Irish bishop has said. Bishop Denis Nulty of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin said the situation in the country “concerns me hugely”. He asked…

The Catholic school’s trust Le Chéile have expressed delight as they press forward with plans to open a new secondary school in Ballincollig, Co. Cork. The trust won the majority of 800 votes – the largest turnout for any school patronage vote last year – to establish a school with a capacity of 1,000 students…

A move to allow paid leave to mothers and the fathers following a miscarriage or stillbirth is “one that I’d welcome here,” according to Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute. This comes on the back of New Zealand’s introduction of just that following a vote in parliament in what is one of the first…

Churches opened their doors to the Faithful for a “wonderful” return to Mass in Northern Ireland on Friday March 26. Fr Tim Bartlett, administrator of St Mary’s Church, Belfast, said that it was a privilege to hold public Mass for the first time since January. “You could see the smiles on everybody as they were…

There is “strong hope” that families of the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre in west Belfast will see their loved ones vindicated as they await the coroner’s findings, according to the parish priest. Fr Paddy McCafferty PP of Corpus Christi, Ballymurphy said there has been 50 years of “anguish” in the lead up to fresh…

All staff and teachers working in special schools or in special classes attached to mainstream schools must be prioritised for vaccination, say the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA). “It is vital that all staff [in special schools and special classes] are vaccinated to reduce the demand for substitutes, or we will assuredly face the…

The way the Church ministers was “already fraying at the edges” before the pandemic, said Bishop Denis Nulty