Category: Irish News

Listen to what gay people have to say, WMOF speaker urges

Matthew
 Carlson   Listening is the most important thing parishes can do to help bridge gaps between gay people and the Church, a prominent speaker at the upcoming World Meeting of Families has said. “The most important thing that parishes, priests and ordinary parishioners can do for LGBT people is clear: Listen to them,” Fr James…

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Davis 
Clark   A prominent Irish Columban missionary has denounced priests who arm themselves, saying clerics should not be “ready to kill”. Almost 200 Catholic priests have applied for gun permits in the Philippines this year against a background of a series of clergymen being murdered. The murders have led the Philippine National Police to categorise…

New DP policy is ‘small step’

Asylum seekers need to be properly integrated into society, both at a “psychological and emotional  level” a Dublin-based priest has said. The comments come after new Government policy will allow asylum seekers in Direct Provision to work with greater ease and seek their own accommodation. It is understood that around 3,000 people will be eligible…

DUP leader needs to challenge religious discrimination

The leader of the DUP must put her words into action in relation to religious sectarianism, or she is simply making “empty gestures”, a Belfast-based priest has said. Fr Gary Donegan C.P., nationally renowned for his ongoing commitment to conflict resolution and peace building in the North of Ireland, said that Arlene Foster needs to…

Life of young priest celebrated

The life of Fr Patrick Burke was celebrated in a homily by Tuam’s archbishop Michael Neary after the 38-year-old Westport-based priest died on June 25. Speaking in St Mary’s Church, Galway, where Fr Burke had his first Communion and was ordained as a priest, Archbishop Neary described the church as being Fr Burke’s “spiritual home”,…