Ireland’s very own ‘Rosary priest’ has died, aged 97. Fr Gabriel Harty OP, the senior member of Ireland’s Dominican province, passed away on Thursday in Drogheda’s Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Known as ‘the Rosary Priest of Ireland’, Fr Harty was known for his decades of promoting the Rosary through preaching, missions and publication of…
There has been a mixed reaction in Ireland to norms published by Pope Francis to tackle abuse and cover-up in the Church. Archbishop Eamon Martin has hailed Vos Estis Lux Mundi (‘You are the Light of the World’), the Pope’s apostolic letter on safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults as “a significant move for the…
A group which represents more than 1,000 Irish priests has said Pope Francis’ comments about the status of women deacons is a “major disappointment”. The reaction comes after the Pope revealed that the 2016 commission he appointed to study women deacons in the early Church could not reach a consensus on whether female ordination was…
CCTV cameras are helping to reduce crime in churches and are improving parishioners’ safety, a priest has said. Fr Declan Hurley of Navan’s St Mary’s parish told this newspaper that the church’s security camera system increases the chances of criminals being identified, creating a safer environment for worship. “We have the constant passage of people…
There is an “urgent” need for extra Catholic school places in south Belfast to cater for demand, according to a report. The research commissioned by the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) found that six of the 14 primary schools in the Castlereagh/Carryduff area are at, or almost at, capacity. This includes three Catholic and three integrated…
A new book exploring how God can be found in the most dark and chaotic parts of life has been praised as inspiring. The Jewel in the Mess, the latest book by the Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor Rev. Alan Abernethy which was launched this month, details how Bishop Alan came to find the…
The Alabama Senate approved a bill yesterday that will outlaw nearly all abortion in the state. The bill, which is expected to be signed by Governor Kay Ivey, is intended to be a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that declared unconstitutional state measures prohibiting abortion. The Human Life Protection…
There needs to be a “significant shift” away from managing homelessness in favour of ending the crisis, the CEO of Focus Ireland has said. Speaking at the official opening by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy of a 31-home development at Dublin’s John’s Lane West, Pat Dennigan said the charity is committed to working with the State…
Greg Daly and Chai Brady Parishioners should take advantage of politicians canvassing support and fundraising outside churches after Mass by holding them to account and quizzing them on their stances, Elphin’s Bishop Kevin Doran has said. Bishop Doran, who has in the past questioned the propriety of politicians in favour of redefining marriage or legalising abortion seeking funds…
The memory of L’Arche founder Jean Vanier can best be served by deliberately working to honour our common humanity, the CEO of L’Arche Ireland has said. Speaking to this newspaper following the death in Paris of Mr Vanier on Tuesday morning, Maireid Boland Brabazon said the founder of the L’Arche and Faith and Light movements…
Greg Daly
Colm Fitzpatrick