A move announced by Pope Francis that could see crimes against the environment made a sin have been widely welcomed, with some saying it may “resonate” with Catholics who might not have “awakened to the crisis”. Speaking to a group of lawyers last week, Pope Francis said that the Church is contemplating the introduction of…
More than eight out of ten readers of The Irish Catholic in a Facebook poll say they agree with US bishops that abortion should be a more important concern for Catholics than other moral issues. At their recent plenary meeting, the bishops adopted a new text aimed at voters which said that the “threat of…
An Irish faith-based charity has defended highlighting an event on social media, shunned by the Holy See, which was connected with promoting abortion Misean Cara, who support missionary organisations, defended retweeting a post on Twitter from the Embassy of Ireland which highlighted a controversial summit in Kenya. The tweet shows a picture of the Minister…
A teenager is being processed by gardaí in connection with the vandalism of a church at a convent in Dublin, during which offensive slurs were allegedly levelled at the contemplative nuns that worship there. There is still an open investigation into the serious incident which occurred at the Star of the Sea Carmellite monastery at…
Belfast has marked the end of an era with the retirement of Fr Brendan McGee after 70 years of devoted service to the people of Down and Connor. Fr McGee – Dean of St Peter’s Cathedral – offered his final Mass for the people in St Patrick’s, Donegall Street on Thursday after 70 years ministering…
A Tipperary priest has criticised the “national problem” of the lack of mental health support during a visit to his county by the Minister for Mental Health this week. Clonmel’s Fr Michael Toomey is on the frontline when it comes to suicide, and said that since a meeting with the Department of Health in June…
Claire Fitzpatrick A prominent Catholic journalist praised Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland last year and how he dealt with the sex abuse scandals. There was sharp criticism of some aspects of the Pope’s visit when it came to abuse, including the fact that organisers cast doubt on whether or not he would meet with survivors.…
Exclusive Radical plan will see Masses cut by 1/3 Unveiling a new plan that will see Masses cut in a bid to enliven congregations and enhance liturgy, Bishop Dermot Farrell has said that the vocations crisis is really a crisis of faith that will not be solved by making celibacy optional. Speaking exclusively to The…
The women’s confraternity at Clonard Monastery in west Belfast is to close after more than 120 years. The 122-year-old Belfast association, which drew thousands of members when it was set up in July 1897, will meet for the final time on November 24 with a closing Mass. Fr Peter Burns, Rector of Clonard, said the…
Moves to produce hate crime legislation have been likened to new “secular blasphemy laws”, which threaten freedom of speech, according to a Tipperary TD. Mattie McGrath spoke to The Irish Catholic after he made comments criticising legislation regarding hate speech in the Dáil last week. During a debate on Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related…
Chai Brady