The move to allow homeless people from outside Dublin access to hostels has been welcomed by Fr Peter McVerry, who said it’ll “make a big difference” to those on the capital’s streets who come from outside Dublin. This comes in the wake of the RTÉ Investigates which revealed that homeless people in the capital were…
Preliminary reports of four stillbirths linked to Covid should inspire precaution, but not panic, leading obstetrician Dr Trevor Hayes has advised. “Pregnant women should be cautious – washing their hands, wearing a mask, decreasing their exposure to the virus,” Dr Hayes said, but was quick to add that “the vast majority of women have healthy…
The Church in Ireland is to hold a national synod within the next five years to – amongst other things – hear the voices of people who have left the Church. According to a communique issued following this week’s general assembly of the Irish bishops’ conference the Church leaders believe: “A synodal pathway leading to…
The Catholic bishops have hit out at Taoiseach Micheál Martin for not responding to a request to permit Mass for Easter almost three weeks after a meeting to discuss the vital issue. In their strongest intervention yet on public worship, the Church leaders insisted on Tuesday that ongoing restrictions banning people attending Mass would be…
by Cindy Wooden Amid the rubble and bombed out remains of four churches destroyed by Islamic State militants, Pope Francis paid tribute to Iraqi Christians who endured persecution and even death. But visiting Mosul and Qaraqosh in northern Iraq on Sunday, he also urged the Christians to live up to their faith and honour the…
by Cindy Wooden Travelling to the birthplace of Abraham, Pope Francis urged believers to prove their faith in the one God and father of all by accepting one another as brothers and sisters. From a stage set on a dusty hill overlooking the archaeological dig at Ur, Abraham’s birthplace about ten miles from modern-day Nasiriyah,…
Visiting a Baghdad cathedral “hallowed by the blood of our brothers and sisters” murdered in a terrorist attack that shook the world, Pope Francis said their sacrifice must motivate faith and a commitment to working for the common good. The Syriac Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance, sometimes referred to as Our Lady of…
The Minister for Mental Health has warned about the negative consequences of prolonged restrictions on Mass and other religious ceremonies. Minister Mary Butler told The Irish Catholic that she is “positive and hopeful for a re-opening of churches [for liturgy] soon.” “I’ve discussed how important Mass is for the older generation with the Taoiseach…I’m very,…
Primary and secondary schools partially reopened on Monday, with staff and students feeling a mix of “trepidation and excitement” at the return. “The mood among the principals is that, while there is a little bit of trepidation, there’s also a desire to get schools open and to get classes in and by teachers to get…
Irish people should write to their TDs and push for Ireland to stand with the Uyghur Muslim minority in China who may be facing “the worst single abuse of human rights in the world right now”, according to the bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe. Bishop Alan McGuckian told The Irish Catholic that as more…
Michael Kelly
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady