A new ‘camino’ style 22km pilgrim walk is being launched in Downpatrick by St Patrick Centre, the only permanent exhibition in the world dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint. New pilgrim guides, Martina Purdy, former BBC political correspondent, and former barrister, Elaine Kelly will lead pilgrims along St Patrick’s Way, visiting seven locations, from July 1.…
Ireland’s recently won seat on the United Nations Security Council can be an opportunity to “leverage” the council to support persecuted Christians, according to Aid to the Church in Need Ireland (ACN). Last week it was announced that Ireland secured enough votes, along with Norway, to win a two-year non-permanent seat. Dr Michael Kinsella, Director…
We are facing a period of new poverties as we come out of lockdown, of economics, of education and of hope, said Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry. “In a society with huge gaps between the well-off and the poor, an economic downturn first strikes the weakest and those who were hanging on by their fingertips,”…
The passing of Garda Colm Horkan has been a tragic reminder of the heroism and bravery of an Garda Síochána as they work daily to make society safer for all, said Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick. Speaking following a remembrance service outside Henry Street Garda station in Limerick, Bishop Leahy said an unmistakable sense of…
While hopes had been high that pilgrims could return in late July, Fr La Flynn of Lough Derg has confirmed that the traditional three-day pilgrimage will not take place this summer. It is the first time since 1828 that the pilgrimage has been suspended with organisers conceding that the nature of the pilgrimage involves close…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has criticised the “flagrant mistreatment of childcare providers” by Minister Katherine Zappone. In a recent statement, TD Tóibín suggested that the actions of her department threatens the childcare sector as a whole. “Minister Zappone pledged that in addition to the 70% wage subsidy, the Department for Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) would…
The episcopal consecration of the new bishop of Achonry, which was postponed due to coronavirus restrictions, will now go ahead on August 30 a spokesman for the diocese has confirmed. Bishop-elect Paul Dempsey will be ordained bishop in the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy in Ballaghaderreen. Fr Dempsey, who has been serving as…
Pro-life campaigners in the North are urging the region’s Assembly to restore protection for unborn children. It comes after MPs in Westminster voted to remove the last legal obstacle meaning that abortion will be allowed for any reason up to 12 weeks, and up to birth on specific grounds such as disability. The regulations came…
The famous Redemptorist novena in Limerick has reached an even bigger congregation than normal thanks to the wonders of technology, Fr Gerry Moloney CSsR told The Irish Catholic this week. The annual event would normally see the Redemptorist church in the city thronged with worshippers, but Covid-19 restrictions mean that the novena sessions are only…
The Diocese of Kerry has appealed to TDs in the county to urge the Government to relax a rule that would permit as few as 50 people to attend Mass from June 29. When the Government announced the accelerated roadmap there was no mention of the limit. However, at the weekend Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones