Despite a Supreme Court ruling that the ban on asylum seekers working is unconstitutional, Bishop Kevin Doran has warned that the Government’s minimalist approach to the ruling will mean very few people in direct provision will benefit. Bishop Kevin Doran welcomed the court’s decision, but said it was “disappointing” that the Government’s interim arrangement puts…
Many Catholics feel they have to keep their heads down because their faith attracts criticism from the dominant culture, the Papal Nuncio has warned. Archbishop Jude Okolo told a gathering in Galway in the weekend that it was also disappointing that the media tends to focus on negativity – particularly when it comes to reporting…
Ireland’s rising rents are “like a fever”, Focus Ireland has said, calling for the Government to implement rules effectively. Commenting on a DAFT report revealing average national rents to be €1,227 per month, with rents on the rise nationwide, Focus Ireland Advocacy Director Mike Allen said Ireland’s housing system is “truly dysfunctional”. “These massive rent…
Fr Dermot Meehan has been elected Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry, following last Sunday’s installation of Bishop Brendan Kelly as the new Bishop of Galway, Kilfenora and Kilmacduagh. Fr Meehan, who will continue in his ministry as parish Priest of Swinford, Co. Mayo, will now be responsible for the day-to-day running of the diocese and will represent it at plenary meetings of the Irish Episcopal Conference in Maynooth. The Diocese of Achonry, which includes parts of counties Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo, has a Catholic population of 34,826 and 30 active priests, consists of 23 parishes and 48 churches
Doctors’ attitudes to the debate around the Eighth Amendment are unclear, with socially conservative doctors being unlikely to be outspoken on the issue, a leading member of the Irish Medical Council has said. “It is very difficult to know where GPs stand on the ‘Repeal the Eighth’ debate,” Drogheda-based GP Dr Ruairi Hanley told The…
A Co. Down folk group has topped the USA Christian album charts with the equivalent of 9,000 album sales. Rend Collective, a Bangor-based Christian band who met through a Bible group formed by the band’s drummer, are planning a US tour after topping Billboard’s Christian album charts for their third time with Good News. Seven…
A “strong society” is based on strong marriages according to the President of Accord, the Catholic Marriage Care Service. Speaking at the blessing of an engaged couple, Bishop Denis Nulty said the World Meeting of Families, to be hosted this August in Dublin, is a time when families all over the world will come to…
After over 200 school entries and hundreds more applications the Fáilte Pope Francis competition has finally been announced and the awards will go to three lucky contestants from schools across Ireland. Aoife Murphy (7) from Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Bay Estate in Dundalk scooped the grand prize of €1,000 euro after displaying a level of…
A pro-life group and parents of children with Down syndrome have expressed their hurt and anger following remarks made by Micheál Martin concerning the presence of disability activists in the Eighth Amendment debate. Micheal O’Dowd of the group Disability Voices for Life said that the Fianna Fáil leader had “crossed a line” and “was trying…
The Iona Institute has launched a new national billboard campaign to promote the right to life of the unborn. The billboards show an image of the unborn baby at 11 weeks with the simple message ‘one of us’. Speaking on behalf of The Iona Institute, Maria Steen said that neither the Citizens’ Assembly nor the…
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick
Greg Daly