The philosopher-saint Edith Stein (canonised St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) has much to teach modern society about dignity, empathy, and the dangers of what she called “soulish contagion or psychic contagion,” according to Dr Robert McNamara, lecturer in philosophy and head of the department at St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth. “Stein observed how movements…
Seán Farrell has been appointed as Trócaire’s new Chief Executive Officer after over 20 years with the international NGO. He described himself as “deeply honoured” to be stepping into the role and “deeply passionate” about Trócaire’s mission. “It is a privilege and a responsibility to have been tasked with taking on this role. I look…
As the pilgrimage season 2025 closes in Lough Derg, the sanctuary team announced a significant rise in attendance this year. The three-day pilgrimage had an increase of 11%, while one-day retreats rose 23%. “The increased number of pilgrims this year reaffirms Lough Derg’s role as a beacon of hope and spiritual renewal,” they said. In…
10,000 children around Ireland gathered in schools, parishes, and homes to pray for peace in Gaza as a part of the global ‘A Million Children Praying the rosary’ campaign on October 7. Organised by the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the campaign is inspired by a quote from St Padre Pio,…
Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has announced a major consultation process for every parish in the Diocese of Limerick, inviting parishioners to help shape the future of local faith communities. In a letter read at all Masses last weekend, October 4-5, Bishop Leahy said the Church must find “new ways, new structures, new models” under the guidance…
Bishop Martin Hayes has said that Laudato Si’, the late Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical on care for the environment, “is even more relevant today than it was ten years ago,” urging Irish Catholics to treat ecological concern as an expression of faith and moral responsibility. Speaking after attending both the Raising Hope Conference and the Conference of European Bishops’ meeting…
The Irish and UK Catholic Church are stepping up their fight against climate change with an expanding array of initiatives that turn papal words into measurable action. Their commitment was on full display at the ‘Raising Hope for Climate Justice’ international conference, held in Castel Gandolfo just outside Rome from October 1–3 to mark the tenth anniversary…
The Provincial of the Hospitaller Order of St John of God has warned that young people risk becoming trapped in a new form of addiction— not to alcohol or drugs, but to the glowing screens in their hands. The St John of God University Hospital in Stillorgan has already seen the toll firsthand. Its 28-day…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has accused the political establishment of deliberately preventing Maria Steen from entering the presidential election, claiming that party leaders feared she would “win the arguments” with government-backed candidates and “potentially the presidential election.” Writing in this week’s Irish Catholic newspaper, Tóibín said Steen, a barrister and commentator, is “bright, intelligent and…
Loreto Sr Orla Treacy was granted an honorary Doctorate in Theology by St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth on September 27. The doctorate, conferred by Archbishop Eamon Martin, the university’s chancellor, is in recognition of Sr Treacy’s significant contribution to social justice and women’s educational rights across the world. Sr Treacy is a native of Carlow…
Renata Steffens