After his own bike was stolen, Belfast-based Fr Martin Magill has taken the opportunity to ask the public to donate their unwanted bikes to immigrants and refugees. Initially taking to Twitter, Fr Magill was of a mind to get his bike back, posting: “Wee favour please – my red bike was stolen from Wellington Place…

The bishop of Clogher has called on people to take action to save biodiversity, as after the pandemic “we cannot be healthy if the planet is not healthy”. In a pastoral letter for the Season of Creation, Bishop Larry Duffy said Covid-19 has shown how “deeply connected everything is”, and “how vulnerable we are as…

Monasteries around the country have been receiving increased calls from people experiencing despair about the meaning of life since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Sr Fiachra of St Mary’s Abbey, Co. Waterford, told of calls from “lots of people”, with those living in “apartments in cities” heavily represented.…

Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has urged Catholics to take encouragement from the spirit of volunteerism that has been on display in parishes and communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking as he announced the annual clerical changes for the diocese, Bishop Leahy said that the combined issues of the vocations crisis and ageing priests is…

Trócaire has announced the decision to permanently close its Cathedral Street office in Dublin city centre from the end of September. The charitable agency of the Church recently reviewed the sustainability of the office, coming to the conclusion that it is no longer viable. They have been in operation on the site since 1983. Trócaire CEO…

Pro-life advocates have been asked to create a flag for the movement which is open to pro-life designers around the world. Irish pro-life group The Life Institute has partnered with the Pro-Life Flag Project, an initiative aimed at facilitating the creation of a universal, freely-reproducible pro-life flag. Niamh Uí Bhriain of The Life Institute said…

Bishop Donal McKeown has said that correcting someone is meant to help people, “not nourish my spiritual ego”. In a homily delivered in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Co. Derry, over the weekend, Bishop McKeown spoke about Church community and the challenges of a culture that does not forgive. He said: “John the Baptist, Jesus and the…

In an almost unprecedented move, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop-elect Michel Mulloy, who was appointed to lead the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota less than three months ago. It comes after an allegation that he abused a minor in the 1980s was brought forward in early August. His current diocese said that it…

To attract back lapsed Catholics, the Church must embrace the vision of Pope Francis and present the Gospel in a way that is positive and uplifting rather than concentrating on negatives, the country’s newest bishop has said. Bishop of Achonry Paul Dempsey was ordained at the weekend, and at just 49 also becomes Ireland’s youngest…

As Co. Kildare was unexpectedly freed from lockdown on Monday, the Dominicans at St Eustace Priory in Newbridge moved swiftly to open up for public Mass just 90 minutes after the easing. Parishioners commented on social media about how impressed they were with the quick thinking friars. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr John Harris O.P…