Trócaire has condemned the demolition by Israeli authorities of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, describing such demolitions as illegal and driven by a desire to disconnect communities. Responding to reports from the Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem that authorities planned to demolish 13 buildings – including at least 14 apartments – last week, the…

The role of female laity must be “enhanced” so that they are brought into the decision-making process of the Church, Armagh’s new Auxiliary Bishop has said. Speaking ahead of his ordination Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday, Dr Michael Router told this newspaper that the majority of worshippers are female, and stressed that the…

The Church response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been “amazing” according to a Trócaire worker currently in the country. The Head of Humanitarian Programmes for Ireland’s Church-charity, Noreen Gumbo flew to the DRC after the World Health Organisation announced last week the disease’s spread was an emergency of…

Public concern about housing and homelessness is set to be a defining issue in the next general election, Focus Ireland has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Mike Allen of Focus said widespread concern on doorsteps about the housing crisis has not yet manifested in the ballot box. “I think some of the political strategists…

Near-empty churches and unused parish land should be repurposed to help save the environment, a leading eco-theologian has said. Kevin Hargaden of Dublin’s Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice told this newspaper that instead of being dispersed over a number of churches, parishioners should gather in “larger groups”, creating opportunities for vacant churches to be…

After Massgoers’ prayers for golfer Shane Lowry were answered over the weekend, there is “tremendous excitement” in Clara parish, a local priest has said. Shane returned home to the small Offaly town on Wednesday and received a hero’s welcome after winning the British Open. Commenting on Shane’s mother Bridget clutching a statue of St Anthony…

The canonisation cause of a famous Irish-American priest has taken a key step forward with the presentation in the Vatican of a summary of records about his life. A positio about Roscommon-born Fr Edward Flanagan, founder of Nebraska’s Boys Town community was presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on Monday July 22,…

The Church can’t afford to lie back and do nothing, Bishop Michael Router tells Colm Fitzpatrick   At a time in Ireland when the Church is experiencing tumultuous and unprecedented change, visionaries who can move it in the right direction are needed more than ever. The challenges are well-known and can’t be solved overnight –…

Armagh’s new Auxiliary Bishop Michael Router said that the Church of the future will be smaller and humbler – but those who practice the Faith will do so because Christ is at the centre of their lives. Speaking at his ordination Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday, the former Kilmore priest said that our…

A high-ranking Vatican prelate will discuss the role and importance of shrines for spreading the faith during “exciting” celebrations for the 140th anniversary of the Apparition at Knock Shrine. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, will speak at Ireland’s most prominent Marian shrine on August 15. The…