A Catholic schools’ representative body has welcomed the HSE’s revamped test and trace system, saying earlier shortcomings were “not acceptable”. From Monday, November 2 on, a revamped Covid-19 testing and tracing system for schools will be led by public health officials and supplemented by department staff, the Minister for Education Norma Foley announced last week.…
Category: Irish News
Peadar Tóibin calls for inquiry as homeless deaths see ‘huge increase’
Aontù leader Peadar Tóibín has called for an “urgent inquiry” following a “huge increase” in homeless deaths this year. 50 homeless people have died this year, compared with 34 and 35 in the last two years according to figures from Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE). This is despite more than 1,500 people exiting homelessness this…
ACN’s week of witness to highlight ‘rising anti-Catholic sentiment’ in Ireland
Aid to the Church in Need’s (ACN) Week of Witness goes ahead this year, but online rather than in person. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, National Director of ACN, Dr Michael Kinsella said: “The week of witness is a dedication of a week in the life of the Church that, as part of the liturgical…
‘No easy answers’: funeral of Diarmuid and Tadg O’Sullivan held
Family and friends mourned the tragic loss of Tadg and his son Diarmuid O’Sullivan at his funeral today, a loss that should be not be minimised by “providing easy answers”
Bishop Noel Treanor makes ‘urgent appeal’ on behalf of healthcare workers
Bishop Noel Treanor appealed to the public to care for “the safety, well-being and health of all NHS and Care workers,” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. He acknowledged the “immense” pressure that healthcare workers – nurses, ambulance teams, paramedics, doctors, surgeons, consultants, administrative and cleaning staff – find themselves under at this time.…
Petition gains momentum as archbishop says he’s hopeful about a return to Mass
The Primate of All-Ireland has said he is hopeful that the Government will consider lifting a ban on public worship in place as a measure against Covid-19. Archbishop Eamon Martin was speaking after a meeting between members of the Irish bishops’ conference and Taoiseach Micheál Martin. The archbishop also pointed out the lack of evidence…
November online at Knock Shrine
Knock Shrine is set to go online this November with a series of scheduled talks and vigils. The talks will be streamed on Knock Shrine’s website at 8.30pm every Wednesday evening in November and on the Knock Shrine Facebook page. They will be delivered by Fr Brian Grogan, SJ on the topic of life after…
Government appears unwilling to lift ban on public Masses
The Government has indicated an unwillingness to relax the ban on public Masses after a meeting between Church leaders and Taoiseach Micheál Martin. However, both sides said that the important role of faith was acknowledged and that dialogue would continue. The move will disappoint many priests and parishioners who have been working hard to ensure…
Govt urged to heed public frustration over Mass ban
Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Bishops have warned that they “won’t be able to bring people with us” unless the Government heeds the calls of the faithful for a return of public worship. All public worship is banned under levels 3 to 5 – as it stands, following the six-week lockdown the country is expected…
Catholic group expresses desire to be patron of new secondary schools
CEIST, a Catholic patron body that includes Mercy and Presentation schools, are looking to provide “high-quality Catholic education” for two new schools in Meath and Wexford. The Department for Education are currently seeking patrons for schools in Gorey, Co. Wexford, and Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, to be opened in 2022. The Department have asked parents to…

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