Hope is in the air in the North as the 500,000th vaccine was administered late last week, priests have said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, a number of priests told of the “cautious optimism” that is returning to their socially-distanced parishioners, an optimism that has been buoyed by the recent good weather. “Because we are…

Communities fear the “devastation of rural Ireland”, as the Government has announced a fishing taskforce with decommissioning of fleets on the agenda, according to a Donegal-based priest. Fr John Joe Duffy told The Irish Catholic that his local community of Creeslough, Donegal, are “horrified” at the prospect of their ships being decommissioned. “They’re horrified to…

An EU Parliament resolution on Poland’s recent constitutional ban on abortions “exceeds the confidences conferred on it by the member states”, said Bishop Noel Treanor. The Down and Connor bishop, who is vice-president of the EU bishops conference, COMECE, was a signatory on a letter from the bishops to the EU criticising the resolution. While…

The ACP has come under fire from within after issuing a statement expressing concern about calls for a return to Mass for Easter. The statement read, “The ACP is concerned about calls for an Easter return to community worship,” which raised questions from one of the priests in the comments. Fr Padraig McCarthy agreed with…

Holy Cross family ministries, founded by Irish priest Venerable Patrick Peyton, have welcomed the installation of a handcrafted, Italian sculpture in the likeness of Fr Peyton outside the Fr Peyton Centre in North Easton, Massachusetts. Fr Willy Raymond, president of Holy Cross Family Ministry, welcomed the arrival of the Irish-born ‘Rosary Priest’s’ statue, blessing it…

The beloved Mr Potato Head toy brand is set to become ‘Potato Head’ in a move which sees the brand “reimagined for the modern consumer”. Announced late last week, the company was quick to clarify that both the Mr and Mrs Potato Head characters would still be available to buy. “Hasbro is making sure all…

The Irish Jesuits this week made public the name of a former teacher and priest who abused boys while he was on the teaching staff of Dublin’s Belvedere College in the 1970s. In a statement, the Irish Province said the decision to name Joseph Marmion SJ “is being taken following engagement with a former pupil…

After overcoming a spike in cases in January, Malawi is “hopeful” of continued improvement as vaccines start to arrive, says Bishop John Ryan of Mzuzu Diocese. Bishop Ryan, a St Patrick’s Missionary, has been bishop in Mzuzu since 2016 and told The Irish Catholic that the situation there “is not as bad as in Europe”.…

22-year-old Desmond Bane’s recent success in being drafted to the pro-basketball league can be attributed to his faith, according to Mr Bane himself. “It serves as my backbone when things are going great and not going great,” he said. “You always have it to lean on. I wouldn’t be where I am without it,” Mr…