An Irish charity has urged the Government to call ambassadors of countries where persecution of Christians is prevalent before an Oireachtas committee and challenge them on their record on religious freedom. Church in Chains, a charity that fights Christian persecution, said politicians should call the ambassadors of China, India, Iran, Nigeria and Pakistan to attend…
Representatives of 19 religious orders from across Ireland will be attending World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon from August 2-6, according to the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI). They will be part of the approximately 1,400 pilgrims who have signed up so far. For the first time AMRI will lead a group…
The Diocese of Dromore has decided to extend its redress scheme for victims of sexual abuse for a further six months, until March 29, 2024. The scheme was established in September 2021 and focuses on those who suffered sexual abuse by members of the clergy under the authority of the diocese. It aims to offer…
The relationship between Achonry diocese and Nigeria’s Ogoja diocese has been strengthened following Bishop Paul Dempsey’s recent trip to the African nation, during which a seminarian scholarship plan was agreed upon by the two dioceses. Scholarships are now open to seminarians in the south-eastern Nigerian diocese to complete their studies in Ireland, after which they…
Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Kenneth Nowakowksi visited the Irish chaplaincy for Ukrainians in Dublin, celebrating the Divine Liturgy for the local community on Sunday, July 16. Bishop Nowakowski, the Apostolic Visitor for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland, joined chaplain Fr Vasyl Kornitsky for the celebration in Our Lady of Consolation, Donnycarney, Dublin. The chaplaincy’s…
A number of Irish bishops have signed up to a charter that commits them to promoting one of Ireland’s patron saints, St Columbanus. Bishop Michael Duignan, Bishop Donal McKeown and Bishop Denis Nulty were among those who signed the ‘Columban Charter of Partnership’ in St Gallen, Switzerland on Columbanus Day this month. The signing was…
Sofia Zate The Society of St Vincent de Paul has released its 2024 pre-budget submission, highlighting its recommendations for the upcoming national budget. Announcing the submission, President Rose McGowan stressed that “The last 18 months have been an incredibly difficult time for those that seek our help and a very busy time for our members…
A charity that represents Catholic schools has highlighted that parents have a right to withdraw schoolchildren fully or in-part from any new sex education classes for secondary schools. Regarding the draft Social Personal Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP) expressed disappointment “the spiritual aspect of wellbeing has been neglected” as well as…
A bill to introduce ‘safe access zones’ around abortion providers appears to exempt hospitals with chapels within the building, TD Michael McNamara has said. The bill, which bans pro-life prayer and demonstration around abortion providers, may exempt the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street and St Vincent’s University Hospital, according to Mr McNamara. A section…
Sr Catherine Lillis, a Columban sister and founder of Tabor House in Navan – which assists people struggling with addiction – was presented with the Papal Medal and parchment, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice [For Church and Pope] by Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan. Taking place on July 8 at St Mary’s Church, Navan, Co. Kildare,…
Chai Brady