Nine out of 10 voters for Irish political party Aontú attend religious services on a weekly basis, according to a recent exit poll. The poll found that the all-Ireland Republican party had the most church-goers with 79% of its members attending once a week, with 11% saying they go to Mass every day. Aontú, meaning…

Pontiff says Church shouldn’t clericalise women   Pope Francis has warned against ‘clericalising’ women in the Church and apparently ignored a request from bishops in the Amazon region to consider ordaining married men to alleviate the vocations crisis. It had been widely anticipated by some commentators that the Pontiff’s new document Querida Amazonia (Beloved Amazonia)…

The leader of Aontú has said despite not reaching 2% of first preference votes in the General Election they are “delighted” at the support they’ve received from the electorate. Although the party will miss out on State funding, which was just 0.1% from their grasp, Peadar Tóibín TD was positive about the party’s future. “Obviously…

A precious relic belonging to St John Henry Newman was stolen from the Birmingham Oratory, it was announced this week. The Oratory said that the bone was stolen from its casket in the Newman Shrine. The Fathers have appealed for anyone who had seen any suspicious activity to come forward. “Sadly, the only piece of…

Bishop Donal McKeown acknowledged the shortcomings of the institutional Church in response to the Troubles at the end of the 4 Corners Festival Belfast on Sunday evening. He discussed the book Considering Grace – Presbyterians and the Troubles by Gladys Ganiel and Jamie Yohanis in St John the Evangelist Parish Hall, West Belfast. The book…

A Northern Irish charity has dubbed an MLA’s decision to speak openly about gambling’s severe impact on his life as “exceptionally brave”. CARE NI Policy OfficerMark Baillie welcomed Philip McGuigan’s openness regarding an addiction to gambling that cost him more than £100,000. “Stories like his help to raise awareness about the harms problem gambling can…

The new church in the parish of Finglas West will be a positive change, said Fr Eamon Cahill, parish priest. Planning permission was granted on by Dublin City Council for the demolition of the Church of the Annunciation and the building of a new, smaller replacement seating 300 instead of 3,500. “It was so uncomfortable…

The foundation of a religious community of sisters in Tipperary has been described as “new life” for the diocese of Waterford and Lismore according to the bishop. The Sisters of the Home of the Mother began their foundation in Cahir at the beginning of this month with Mass in the parish church, St Mary’s. Bishop…

Bishop Denis McNulty has expressed his faith in the work of Accord Catholic Marriage Care, of which he is president, despite falling numbers. “A huge number of people are coming to our preparation’s courses, 15,000 that’s a huge number of people. And a huge number are coming to our counselling services.” A report from Accord…

The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has encouraged more young people to “seriously consider” a career in the police. Archbishop Eamon Martin has previously called for the reinstatement of 50/50 recruitment to increase the number of Catholic officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Latest PSNI figures show only 32% of…