Shoppers in one of the largest supermarkets in Ballymena, Co. Antrim were stunned when the words “F*** the Pope” were announced over the tannoy. It is understood that a member of the public, a male youth, gained access to an unattended speaker at a Tesco store and shouted out the sectarian slur. According to a…
Category: Irish News
Son of Irish immigrants to the US to be beatified
The founder of the Knights of Columbus, Fr Michael McGivney, is to be beatified during a special Mass on October 31 at the Cathedral of St Joseph in Connecticut. Born to Irish immigrants to the US Patrick and Mary McGivney, Fr McGivney was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and was ordained a priest in 1877. Best…
Poverty not Catholicism reason for Covid-19 hotspots
A data analyst has challenged a DUP minister’s claim that there are more Covid-19 hotspots in Catholic communities, saying poverty is the key factor linked to outbreaks not religion. Speaking to The Irish News, Peter Donaghy said it was in socially deprived areas that people won’t have jobs which allow them to work from home.…
Priests on the run in Galway
A Catholic priest and a Church of Ireland minister have joined forces in East Galway for a daily 3km prayer run for their parishes’ spiritual and financial wellbeing. Fr Gerard Geraghty of Aughrim and Kilconnell and Rev. John Godfrey of Aughrim and Creagh have committed to running every day while churches are closed. “John came…
Priest says he’ll continue to offer sacraments despite ban
A priest based in Wales has vowed that he would rather be arrested than refuse to administer the sacraments to Catholics. It comes after the Welsh authorities announced this week that they would follow the lead of authorities in the Republic and ban public worship. It makes the Republic and Wales the only places in…
Archbishop blasts anti-mask protesters
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has hit out against those organising anti-mask protests and warned that any restrictions on the right to public worship must be minimal. Speaking this evening (Thursday) at an online gathering of the Dublin Council of Churches, Dr Martin praised the tireless commitment of those – particularly frontline workers – responding…
Use skills of returned missionaries to rebuild Church – archbishop
Irish missionaries who have returned from abroad are rejuvenating the Church here by bringing new life and skills learnt in countries where the Faith is more vibrant, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly has said. He said that Irish parishes and communities can learn a lot from the “wisdom” of missionaries who have worked where the Church is…
Senator Mullen challenges Govt on China trade agenda
Senator Rónán Mullen has challenged the Government over what he has said is its failure to properly address the Chinese abuses of its Uyghur Muslim population. His motion condemning the persecution of the Uyghurs passed in the Seanad without opposition from the Government. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Senator Mullen said about motion, “It’s historic…
First millennial set on path to sainthood
Italian teenager Carlo Acutis is “a model of evangelisation and discipleship in the 21st Century”, according to Sacred Heart Missionary Fr Alan Neville. Potentially the first saint with a website and to wear Nikes, Blessed Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis last weekend in Assisi. Fr Neville, formerly the vocation director for the MSC said…
Phasing out religious symbols will create ‘false impression’ of religion
New recommendations to remove Catholic symbols from state run secondary schools will impose “a secular understanding of religion on the school”, says Fr Eamonn Conway. According to The Irish Times, an unpublished document recommends phasing out Catholic symbols, compulsory graduation Masses and diocesan inspectors of religious teaching. Commenting on the report, Fr Conway said that…

Ruadhán Jones




Michael Kelly
Chai Brady


