The failure of the Irish Church to hold a nationwide mission as requested by Pope Benedict is “disappointing”, a Rome-based priest has said. In his March 2010 Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, the then Pope had listed concrete actions the Church in Ireland could take to renew itself, among which, he said, should…
Hospital chaplains have dismissed criticism after the HSE sent a letter to the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore saying they will no longer give out a list of inpatients to priests who wish to visit parishioners. Last week Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan was informed by the management of South Tipperary General Hospital that priests wouldn’t be…
A county council has asked the creator of a religiously offensive animation to remove its name from the series’ credits, after having funded part of the show’s production. Tipperary County Council confirmed to The Irish Catholic last month that it gave a “small grant” for the development of a project entitled ‘Bootleg Jesus’, which depicts…
A Dublin homeless charity has issued an “urgent” Lenten appeal to protect the future of a Sunday dinner service they provide every week for over 300 vulnerable people. Increasing numbers of service users and insufficient funding from the State has put pressure on Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI), who are keen to protect the Sunday dinner’s…
A momentous meeting between the President of the Mormon Church and Pope Francis shows “at the moment there are things that are more important” than some big theological differences. The Mormon Church is officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints (LDS). Ireland’s spokesperson John Connolly said that although LDS Church baptisms…
Strandhill, one of the most stunning seaside villages in Ireland, will be front and centre for this year’s St Patrick’s festival celebrations, as Mass for St Patrick’s day comes live from the Sligo location on RTÉ1 at 11am. The village at the western edge of Sligo Bay has a close association with St Patrick, who…
Famous Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg has offered his love, prayers and blessings to people across the world, in observance of Ash Wednesday. The popular celebrity, well-known from movies like Ted and Transformers, posted a special message to his 12 million Instagram followers at the beginning of the Lenten season. “It’s here – one of my…
Chaplaincy services continue to play a vital role in the experience of third level students in Ireland and abroad, the chair of the Third Level Chaplains Association of Ireland has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic following a gathering of third level chaplains in Rome organised by the European Episcopal Conference, Fr Ger Dunne OP…
Married couples with children are more likely to be satisfied with their relationships and family life than their unmarried peers, according to a new international survey. The Global Family and Gender Survey looked at family trends in 11 countries including Ireland. It found while 18% of married couples have had ‘serious doubts’ in the past…
Warm tributes paid to Monaghan priest Clogher’s Bishop Larry Duffy has paid tribute to Fr Brendan McCague after it was announced last weekend the Carrickmacross priest is to retire from active ministry after almost 46 years of service in different parts of the diocese and in various roles. “Until my ordination as bishop I worked with Fr Brendan in Carrickmacross…
Greg Daly
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick