Children who believe in God are much more likely to be tolerant of other religions than those who are atheist, while the vast majority of teens believe religious education is “beneficial” according to a major Irish study. A book launched this week, Religion and Education, The Voices Of Young People in Ireland, found that after…

A parish priest has reiterated calls this week for soldiers who killed victims in the Ballymurphy Massacre to admit what happened, and to “search their conscience”. The final oral submissions of the inquest into the deaths of 10 civilians over three days of violence in Ballymurphy, August 1971, took place in a Belfast court on…

A return to 50:50 recruitment of Catholics and Protestants into the Police Service of the Northern Ireland (PSNI) is needed to halt expected decline in Catholic officers, according to the Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin.  Following a meeting of Church leaders with Chief Constable Simon Byrne of the PSNI, the archbishop said that while he…

Readers of The Irish Catholic are almost evenly split on whether taking sacramental preparation out of schools is a good thing. It comes as the Archdiocese of Dublin confirmed a story in this newspaper last week which first revealed the plan put forward by the Council of Priests. It would see parishes take on a…

The hierarchy has announced the appointment of Clogher priest Msgr Joe McGuinness as the body’s new executive secretary. Msgr McGuinness will succeed Dr Gearóid Dullea who has served in the post for a number of years. The executive secretary is responsible for organising how the work of the conference is prepared, arranged and carried out. He…

Bishop Denis Nulty has called on people across the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin to ‘Share with the hungry’ as they make their preparations for Christmas and do their Christmas shopping. The bishop was speaking ahead of the annual Reach Out that takes place in parishes across the diocese this coming weekend, December 14-15. For…

Sr Consilio Fitzgerald, founder of Cuan Mhuire, which provides addiction treatment services and residential rehabilitation to 3,000 people a year was presented with the Fifth Oireachtas Human Dignity Award at a ceremony in Leinster House on Thursday last, December 5. The Human Life, Human Rights and Human Dignity Award is presented annually by the Oireachtas…

Meath-based priest Fr Ray Kelly has launched his autobiographical book in his parish of Oldcastle this week. Father Ray Kelly Hallelujah – Memoirs of a Singing Priest chronicles his life, humble upbringing and subsequent rise to prominence as well as the importance he places on his priestly vocation. The launch took place in St Brigid’s…

Former 
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 DCU Prof. Dáire Keogh has been confirmed as the new President of Dublin City University. Prof. Keogh – a noted historian – was President of St Patrick’s College Drumcondra from 2012 until 2016 when the college was incorporated into DCU. He has published extensively on the history of popular politics, religion…

One of Dublin’s finest traditions, The Moving Crib in Parnell Square is celebrating 63 years. This lovely venue has gone from strength to strength, keeping pace with the changing times while still bearing witness to the true message of Christmas. It’s that time again when our thoughts turn to the very special season of light,…