Two Tyrone Catholic Grammar schools have said they will have entrance exams despite the Primate of All-Ireland calling for schools to abandon them this year due to the pandemic. St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon and St Joseph’s in nearby Donaghmore will use academic selection. Archbishop Eamon Martin of the Archdiocese of Armagh, the diocese in…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has added his voice to those calling for the re-evaluation of the ’50 people only’ rule which applies to the re-opening of churches and places of worship on Monday. Deputy Toibín insisted that “now more than ever faith and spirituality is playing an important role in so many people’s lives”.…
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has criticised a decision by the Government to limit the number of people allowed to attend public Masses. “It seems strange that in a church with a capacity of 1,500 people which has been scrupulously fitted out for conformity with social distancing and with clear indications about movement and interaction…
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has left the territory of the Vatican for the first time since his abdication in 2013 to go to Germany to be with his 96-year-old brother Fr Georg who is in poor health. He made the decision shortly after consulting with the Holy Father, Pope Francis. A comunique from the Holy…
Bishop Kevin Doran has paid tribute to the garda detective who died in a shooting incident in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon in the Diocese of Elphin. He has been named by gardaí as Detective Garda Colm Horkan. The armed detective, who was from Co Mayo, was on duty on his own in Castlerea when he was shot just…
Catholics have been urged to fight any proposal to weaken Catholic schools after the Programme for Government published this week proposed a citizens’ assembly on the future of education. Theologian Dr John Murray of Dublin City University told The Irish Catholic that he would be concerned that “such an assembly could be used to give…
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has asked priests to shorten their homilies as public Masses begin at the end of the month. In a note sent to priests this week, he said that “it is obvious that safe distancing makes a feeling of communion and community more difficult. “Distancing could also lead to a deeper reflection on…
A key player in the Church’s education policy in Ireland has been remembered as a reconciler. Msgr Jim Cassin died after a short illness and his funeral took place last week in the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, Co. Kildare Bishop of Ossory Dermot Farrell said that Msgr Cassin – who served for many years…
As borders reopen across Europe, Niall Glynn of Marian Pilgrimages is “cautiously optimistic” that pilgrimages can begin in late July or early August. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mr Glynn said that they will be looking at restarting pilgrimages on a shrine-by-shrine basis. “We’re cautiously optimistic,” he said. “A lot of it will come down to requirements, procedures and policies in the…
A young Italian man born in 1991 who is set to be beatified can be an example to Irish youth to be individuals and not fall into depression and drugs, according to the bishop of Waterford and Lismore. Bishop Phonise Cullinan told this paper that computer programmer Carlo Acutis was “obviously in love with God…
Michael Kelly
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Ruadhán Jones