TD Peadar Tóibín has criticised the Government for “dragging its feet” over a “black-and-white” case of injustice after a child was aborted last year following a false diagnosis. In March last year, a family was told that their unborn child had a fatal foetal abnormality by a member of staff at the National Maternity Hospital.…
A virtual pilgrimage to Lourdes organised by the Oblates in Inchicore, Co. Dublin, started over the weekend and continued into this week. Due to Covid-19 the pilgrimage was postponed for 2020. However, their virtual offering began on the evening of Saturday, September 19 and finished on Wednesday, it was based on the theme ‘Bringing Lourdes Home’. A statement…
The new bishop of Kilmore diocese has said that despite the Church being “thrown into chaos” due to Covid-19 “we go forward into the unknown” trusting in Christ. Bishop Martin Hayes was ordained on Sunday, September 20 at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim in Cavan. The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon…
The first priest in more than two years was ordained for the Diocese of Meath over the weekend, with Bishop Tom Deenihan saying it is a “sign of hope…despite all the prophets of doom”. Bishop Deenihan ordained Fr Norman Allred in the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath on September 20, His…
World Missions Ireland (WMI) are appealing for donations to support the “life-giving work of missionaries” as Covid-19 threatens their main fundraising event. The annual World Mission Sunday (WMS) collection takes place around the world, but church closures and recessions could mean a significant reduction in donations, said Fr Michael O’Sullivan, national director of WMI. “As…
Homeless charity Depaul has revealed that they’ve helped 256 people to leave direct provision centres since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. This figure involves 140 adults and 116 children, with 55 families included. The charity worked exclusively with people who’d been granted legal status to remain in Ireland, across seven counties. Depaul’s CEO, David…
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has announced the election of long-time member Rose McGowan as its new National President. Ms McGowan succeeds Kieran Stafford, whose three-year term ended on August 31. From Dublin, Ms McGowan has been a member of the SVP from her schooldays, when she began visiting with the Society in…
A Zoom conference with well-known speakers has been organised for the month of October entitled ‘Evangelising Irish Culture Today’. It is being organised by ‘The Hook of Faith’. In a letter about the event Wexford-based Fr Billy Swan said: “Pope Francis said that ‘it is imperative to evangelise cultures in order to enculturate the Gospel.…
Public Masses, Confirmations and First Communions have been cancelled in Dublin for three weeks after the Government’s new guidelines were announced this evening. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin sent an “urgent notice” to parishes in the Archdiocese of Dublin this morning (Friday), presupposing the Government’s announcement as he said the outcome “seems likely”. The restrictions will see…
EXCLUSIVE New research which reveals that one in five previously Mass-going Catholics may not return after the pandemic has been described as a “wake-up call”. While just four percent of people surveyed said they had no intention of returning to Mass, a further 19% of people who went to Mass regularly before restrictions indicated that…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady