Wellbeing programmes in Faith schools could do more to help protect students from mental health issues, a leading Irish theologian has said. Tuam-based priest Prof. Eamonn Conway and Dr Kerry Greer of Limerick’s Mary Immaculate College have said that emerging resilience programmes in Irish schools lack a scientific basis, and that the notion of Christian…
Those guilty of the shooting of 10 innocent people in Ballymurphy showed “sneering contempt” and “lack of repentance” according to the parish priest at a memorial service. Relatives and friends of the victims held a candlelit vigil in memory of their loved ones who were killed in West Belfast in 1971. The Ballymurphy shootings occurred…
While Christmas is usually a time most of us look forward to, social justice campaigner Fr Peter McVerry said homeless people dread the festive season. Speaking to the paper as the trust launched its 2017 annual report, Fr McVerry said that Christmas is the most “depressing day of the year” for homeless people as they…
Parishes can be a “shining example” to the community if they become actively involved in tackling climate change, according to a parish pastoral worker for the Archdiocese of Dublin. Speaking from the Czech Republic while on pilgrimage to Poland Jane Mellett said she believes the Church can be a “leading voice” on the issue of…
Organisers of Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland frightened people away from attending the papal Mass in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, according to former Tánaiste Joan Burton. Speaking at an Oireachtas committee the Labour TD said organisers “scared most older people in Ireland into thinking that they could not do a two-mile walk”. “Those in charge of…
The decision by the publishing wing of the Irish Church to close three retail outlets by the end of next month is a strategic move coming against the background of a positive year, the company’s director has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Veritas Director Aidan Chester said the decision to close the shops in…
Ryan Tubridy, always a huge advocate for reading and someone with a great love of Irish books, gave high praise to Mythical Irish Beasts on the Late Late Toy Show on Friday night. Published by Currach Press, the book explores the mysterious and fantastical creatures of Ireland’s mythology. Mr Turbidy presented the book in the…
The Peter McVerry Trust has revealed that a record-breaking number of people suffering financially have availed of the charity’s services this year. In its 2017 annual report, published on December 4, the charity said it has been supporting almost 5000 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Some 313 people progressed out of homelessness while…
A new model of ‘team ministry’ across parishes will allow parishes to pool talents while keeping their own distinct identities, according to Limerick’s Bishop Brendan Leahy. In a pastoral letter last weekend, Dr Leahy mapped out a plan to arrange the Diocese of Limerick’s parishes into ‘pastoral units’, groups of parishes served by teams of…
A Cork-based priest has condemned a vandalism attack of a nativity scene at one the city’s oldest ecclesiastical structures. Just hours after its unveiling on December 2, the Red Abbey Crib, located behind the railings inside the landmark abbey tower, was trespassed and vandalised. After the official light switch-on at the crib on Saturday night,…
Colm Fitzpatrick
Chai Brady
Greg Daly