Archbishop Eamon Martin elected to key role Michael Kelly in Rome Pope Francis has warned Church leaders that the entire Catholic world is looking to a Vatican summit this week for decisive action on abuse. Addressing the meeting on the protection of minors at the Vatican this morning (Thursday) the Pontiff told bishops and…
Category: Irish News
Plea that abuse not be used as ‘political football’
Exclusive Ahead of an unprecedented summit on abuse opening in the Vatican this morning (Thursday), Archbishop Eamon Martin has rejected the idea that the abuse scandals can be attributed to priests who are gay. Speaking exclusively to The Irish Catholic, Dr Martin also insisted that the Church has to do a lot more research…
Help parishioners aid refugees, bishop urges
Parishioners need to be helped welcome refugees into their communities and cannot simply be taken for granted, Elphin’s Bishop Kevin Doran has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic after the publication of a joint statement with Bishop Francis Duffy of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Dr Doran said “our responsibilities as a nation under international law, and…
Church will work to unite, even if border divides – bishop
The Church in the North will continue to resist efforts to divide the community even if a hard border follows a no-deal Brexit, Derry’s Bishop Donal McKeown has said. Speaking against the background of a UNESCO-backed report that claims young people in the North would be groomed into violence by extremist and terrorist organisations following…
Churches sinking over dwindling contributions, bishop warns laity
Colm Fitzpatrick and Greg Daly Parishioners must play a more active role in keeping their local churches afloat, Waterford and Lismore’s bishop Phonsie Cullinan has warned. Dr Cullinan said that lay people are called to be involved in and support the Church which at a “very nuts and bolts” level requires financial contribution in their local parish. His…
‘One-off’ donations online are one answer to declining offerings
A Dublin priest who is embracing technology has said parishes that set up online sites facilitating online payments could encourage young people to make donations. Spearheading the Archdiocese of Dublin’s new initiative that allows parishioners to make card payments in Church, Fr John Bracken of Dundrum parish said to further tackle declining donations an online…
Parish ‘blessed’ as John Henry Newman to be canonised
A Dublin parish has expressed “great joy” after hearing Blessed John Henry Newman is set to be canonised after approval from Pope Francis. Fr Bill Dailey of Newman University Church in Dublin, founded by Blessed John Henry, said that so many people feel a great attachment to the church. “Catholics have a sense that a…
Faith and charity go hand in hand, says TV star
A famous Hollywood actress has said that her Catholic faith pushed her towards supporting charities and tacking causes of injustice and poverty. Patricia Heaton, best known for her roles as Debra Barone on the long-running hit comedy Everybody Loves Raymond and as Frankie Heck in The Middle, said that donating to charity was important to…
‘Heroic’ Ballymurphy priest ignored after making emergency call
A priest who called the British army for help just 30 minutes before he was killed was “taking his life into his own hands without hesitation” to help others, according to Belfast-based Fr Paddy McCafferty. Fr Hugh Mullan, one of the 10 people shot dead during the Ballymurphy Massacre in 1971, had called for assistance…
‘Pro-choice doctors only’ rule could hurt conscience rights
Ireland will be in “uncharted territory” if it makes a willingness to participate in abortions a condition of employment in hospitals, Baroness Nuala O’Loan has warned. Baroness O’Loan, who has been an outspoken advocate for the conscience rights of medical professionals, was speaking after the National Maternity Hospital advertised posts stipulating that successful applicants would…

Michael Kelly
Chai Brady
Greg Daly






