An attempt to reinstate a priest laicised for the sexual abuse of minors by a top Vatican cleric has been decried by a leading Irish child protection campaigner Marie Collins, who warned children would have been put in danger. The Vatican Secretariat of State tried to undo the laicisation of Ariel Alberto Príncipi, a former…
Category: Irish News
Candlelight and prayers for St Bernadette
The Relics of St Bernadette are still travelling around Ireland and arrived at Down and Connor Diocese this week. To mark the moment, parishioners of St Mary’s Church, Chapel Lane, Belfast had a Marian Candlelit Procession on Tuesday, October 15. All ceremonies with the relics were livestreamed via St Mary’s webcam. Speaking to The Irish…
St Bernadette’s relics tour continues
The relics of St Bernadette have toured the dioceses of Clogher, Raphoe, Down and Connor, and Derry over recent weeks, drawing large numbers of Irish pilgrims. This unique visit offers the faithful an opportunity for a profound spiritual encounter with the saint known for her visions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France. St Bernadette…
New lay ministry course available in Co. Laois
The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin is inviting people to step forward and subscribe to the new Lay Pastoral Ministers programme. The programme is a two-year level 7 diploma course, which will prepare the laity to undertake significant roles in their parishes and pastoral areas. The course offers part-time lessons and will be held over six weekends…
Mixed response to bishops’ letter on immigration
The bishops’ recently published advisory letter on immigration has provoked mixed responses, with Director of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice Dr Kevin Hargaden praising the bishops for issuing “a very strong word against the fear-based politics that have been developing in the nation”, while Dr Gerard Casey, a Catholic academic, was critical of…
‘No such a thing as a bad person’ says bishop
Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes, who is also the Bishop’s Conference liaison to the Irish Prison Service drew attention to the work of Fr Greg Boyle SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries during Prisoners’ Sunday on October 13. Prisoners’ Sunday is a day to direct thoughts and prayers to prisoners and their families. “Fr Greg believes…
Parish centre nominated for all-island award
The Priorswood Parish Centre was selected as one of five Dublin nominees for the all-island Pride of Place Award. “It’s a bit of a shock that we were nominated for this, but we are thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” said Ann Tormey, chairperson for the Parish Centre. The competition focus “is about people coming together to shape,…
Bishop Donal Murray: The outsider who became one of Limerick’s own
Of the many things that have been said and written about Bishop Donal Murray since his death on Sunday October 13, two lines have struck me forcibly in that they have captured something of the true essence of his ministry in Limerick. A contemporary of his in Clonliffe, Fr Fintan Lyons OSB remarked: “His ministry…
Limerick mourns Bishop Emeritus Donal Murray
Bishop Murray died in the early hours of Sunday at Milford Care Centre where he had spent the past 18 months. He was in the company of Frs Noel Kirwan and Liam Enright on his passing. Reflecting on his life, Bishop Leahy said that Bishop Murray made an enormous contribution to spiritual nourishment of the…
Catechesis needs to teach the depth and richness of our prayer tradition
“The Church needs to look at the way it catechises. That we catechise not just by giving information, but by leading people into the experience of prayer and then also by making sure that people know the richness and the depth of our own prayer tradition.” Br Richard Hendrick OFM Cap said speaking to The…