There should be a “wide and generous” acknowledgement of the freedom of conscience by the Government for healthcare professionals, a group of medical practitioners and lawyers have said. The comments come after an educational conference hosted by the Medico Legal Alliance on October 13, entitled The Legal Aspects of Clinical Decision Making, which brought together…
Category: Irish News
‘Take risks’ on youth to lead new evangelisation urges Derry bishop
The Church needs to “take risks” on young people and use their “idealism and enthusiasm” to lead evangelisation in Ireland, according to the country’s two representatives at the Synod of Bishops. Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown, told The Irish Catholic that rather than being patronising, and asking “what can we do for young people?” Church…
Papal visit inadequate on abuse – survey
Most Irish people believe Pope Francis did not do enough to address clerical abuse during his recent papal visit to Ireland, according to new research. Only 30% of people believe the Pope did enough on the issue during the visit, according to a survey of 840 people by Queen’s University in Belfast, which also found…
Over 2,000 attend service commemorating organ donors
A congregation of over 2,000 people attended the 33rd Irish Kidney Association’s Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at Corpus Christi Church, Homefarm Road, Dublin 9 on Saturday, October 6 to honour organ donors and their families. Present at the ecumenical service were families of deceased organ donors and living donors as well as transplant recipients…
Down & Connor rejoices in nine new deacons
Bishop Noel Treanor told nine new deacons “we rejoice and give thanks to you” at their ordination over the weekend. The ordinations, the first for the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Down and Connor, took place on Sunday, October 14. Each deacon will be attached to a parish and will assist with Mass, occasionally…
Heroic WWI chaplain praised as model for reconciliation
An Irish chaplain to the British army during World War I has been described as “imitating Christ” when he was bravely killed while administering Last Rites to a soldier. Speaking ahead of the screening of a film last week in the Vatican detailing Fr Willie Doyle SJ’s life, directed by Campbell Miller from Newcastle in…
Internet will not solve Faith crisis, says bishop
Clergy cannot rely solely on the internet to reach young people on the peripheries, Waterford and Lismore’s bishop has said. In response to online initiatives which intend to educate lay people about the Faith, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said that although the internet is “a space inhabitated by the younger generations”, proper formation requires being around…
Concern expressed for Pakistan’s poor as Trócaire told to leave
Church charity Trócaire are concerned for the “poor and vulnerable” in Pakistan after getting a letter from their government requesting they cease operations in the country. The letter, which they received earlier this month, asked that Trócaire stop operating in Pakistan within 60 days. It provides an opportunity to re-apply for registration, but only after…
Praise for late bishop’s ‘tireless service’
Bishop Laurence Forristal, who has died aged 87, has been described as having worked “tirelessly in service of the people of God”. Kilkenny-born Bishop Forristal served as bishop of Ossory from 1981 to 2007, and has been praised by the current Bishop of Ossory, Dr Dermot Farrell. Offering his sympathies to Dr Forristal’s family, friends…
‘Deep faith’ kept heroic mother Emma going
Greg Daly and Luke Silke Brave Emma Mhic Mhathúna [pictured] got “tremendous strength” from her “deep faith” after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, her parish priest has said. The 37-year-old mother of five died on Sunday after being told in May that she had terminal cancer, a 2013 smear test having been misread. She was one of 221…

Colm Fitzpatrick
Chai Brady







Greg Daly