The hierarchy has published a checklist for parishes to assist the faithful in their preparations to ensure that the return to public worship “happens in a safe and measured way”. With the restrictions set to lift on June 29, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference said the preparations would only be successful if there is “generous…

A body that represents social workers has called on the Government to enact legislation that would allow social workers to legally investigate private nursing homes without an invitation. The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) wrote to the Nursing Home Expert Panel and the Special Oireachtas Committee on the Covid-19 Response this week. Amanda Casey,…

Ireland is “not exempt from racism” and we must work to overcome all forms of hatred, said Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick. In his homily last weekend, Bishop Leahy described Trinity Sunday as being about the “celebration of diversity in unity and unity in diversity”. “It’s a call to us all to appreciate, in a…

Almost a hundred St Vincent de Paul (SVP) charity shops reopened this week, after 12 weeks of closure led to losses estimated up to a quarter of their yearly take. “Our shops are essential [to SVP’s service],” said Dermot McGilloway, SVP national retail development manager, speaking to The Irish Catholic. “There is a fundraising element to…

Two of Ireland’s charities tackling homelessness share differing views on their forecast of homelessness in the aftermath of Covid-19. Statistics from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government show a reduction in the number of people in homelessness for April with 9,335 – a decrease of 572 from March. On one hand, the Peter…

A new evangelisation project that will aim to help parishes with adult faith formation is appealing for committed catechists to get involved. Faith on Fire plans to gather and support a team of people already experienced in faith development, whether in a school, parish or other context. According to Petra Conroy, the new initiative’s director…

The organisers of an open-air Mass set for the feast of Corpus Christi have decided to call the event off after the Government announced a speedier than expected return to public Masses. Marian Pilgrimages – who have been offering virtual pilgrim experiences since the lockdown began – had planned the event for Leopardstown Racecourse on…

The Bishop of Derry diocese has extended condolences after the death of Bishop Francis Lagan, who served as an auxiliary bishop of the diocese from 1988-2010, saying he was a “gentle pastor” and “caring brother priest”. Bishop Lagan died early on Monday morning. He was born in Maghera and was ordained a priest in 1960 in Maynooth. Bishop Donal McKeown said: “Bishop Lagan had…

An increasing number of Catholic grammar schools in the North are abandoning controversial transfer tests to select pupils for 2021. It comes after Primate of Al-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin pleaded for the tests to be set aside. The 11-plus exams were formally abolished in 2008. However, some schools that wanted to continue to select children…

Dublin-based composer Bernard Sexton has written a new religious song of comfort for the victims of Covid-19. The song entitled ‘God Will Wipe Away All Tears’ is based on sacred texts from the Bible, sung by a virtual choir and an MP3 file and sheet music has been made free to download. “The initial idea…