Pro-life groups have expressed their concern at the provisions set out for abortions in the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis. The Northern Irish pro-life group, Precious Life have condemned the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) introduction of through-the-post abortion pills in Northern Ireland. Bernadette Smyth, Director of Precious Life, said the group is currently seeking legal advice…
Catholic Bishops in Northern Ireland expressed ‘deep concern’ for how the UK will handle the legacy of the past in a letter to the Northern Secretary. Archbishop Eamon Martin and Bishops Noel Treanor, Donal McKeown, Larry Duffy, Michael Router stated to Brandon Lewis that the proposals made on March 18 departed from the principle of…
A US-based Irish priest has hit back at President Donald Trump’s endorsement of a “bigoted anti-Catholic” pastor during Easter weekend. Fr Sean McManus, President of the Irish National Caucus, gave his disapproval of a service from Southern Baptist Evangelical pastor Robert James Jeffress Jr on Easter Sunday, which was approved by President Trump on Twitter.…
Despite the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis which has led to widespread physical isolation a priest based in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary has urged people struggling with their mental health to reach out and “keep talking”. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr Micharel Toomey said: “If anyone is feeling really down and really suicidal, there is still people…
World-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed to an empty Duomo in the heart of Milan in Italy, in an event live-streamed to the world from one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis on Easter Sunday. Across the globe people tuned in to witness the concert which was streamed live via YouTube and now has…
On Easter Sunday, people started to gather – observing physical distancing – outside the locked doors of Holy Cross Church in Dundrum, south Dublin. The streets were eerily quiet, and people nodded and exchanged warm smiles from a distance. As the clock struck 2pm, the doors of the 19th Century church swing open and Fr…
Peadar Tóibín expressed his thanks for all of the priests and religious for their work in the current crisis in a Tweet on Easter Sunday. The leader of Aontú told The Irish Catholic: “It think it’s really important that we recognise that the priests and religious have played a phenomenally important role over the last…
‘Faith Survival Kits’ were handed out to several parishes in Down and Connor over Easter. They contain a prayer, some reading material, parish updates and sometimes a candle, a mini Easter egg or some holy water. In the parish of Ardkeen they began giving packs out almost a month ago. Paula McKeown, a parish volunteer,…
Ruadhan Jones A number of religious leaders, including Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, held a conference call with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to discuss the Covid-19 emergency on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Mr Varadkar sought their views into how we can care for our communities and our most vulnerable at this time. He thanked…
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his 93rd birthday on April 16, which comes three days prior to the 15th anniversary of when he started his Papacy. Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger, served as head of the Church and sovereign of the Vatican from April 19, 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II, until his resignation…
Chai Brady