A call for mourners to attend the funeral of an Irish man who died in Manchester last month could be the first of many such appeals, the head of the Irish Chaplaincy in Britain has warned. John Joseph O’Brien, 73, died in the Hulme area of the city on August 9, and has no known…

A policeman who was the most senior Catholic in the RUC has spoken of an IRA plot to kill him during Mass. Former high ranking RUC, subsequently PSNI, policeman Peter Sheridan said he was told by gardaí during the height of the Troubles that his life was in serious danger. “I use to attend Mass…

With space for 50 families, the new Crosscare centre at the Mater Dei Institute in Dublin has opened and is beginning to house vulnerable people. This follows the move of DCU students to St Patrick’s College, leaving the space open to be used as emergency temporary accommodation run by the Catholic charity. The project is…

The Irish Capuchins’ Year of Vocation, launched last weekend at Knock, is a “natural progression” from how the order was in the national spotlight last year in connection with their 400th anniversary in Ireland and the centenary of the Easter Rising, the order’s vocations promoter has said. “It’s a year to actively promote the Capuchin…

The Jesuit Refugee Service has opened a new multi-purpose resource centre designed to create a safe space to support asylum seekers in adapting to their new surroundings in Ireland. Seomra Fáilte was opened in the Balseskin Reception Centre in Dublin in July and offers a range of activities to newly arrived refugees and long-term residents…

Women affected by rape are due to share their stories at public meetings next week, to explain why they believe abortion is not the answer when a child is conceived in rape. Unbroken Ireland, an initiative which gives a voice to those impacted by pregnancy after rape, is hosting the events in Dublin and Cork.…

Ireland has enough Catholic schools and doesn’t need more, the head of Ireland’s largest teaching union has said. Mr John Boyle, president of the INTO, later said he was referring only to Catholic primary schools. Mr Boyle also said that despite what the Archbishop of Dublin has said about divestment he doesn’t believe a large…

A Loreto sister originally from Co. Antrim has received the highest honour granted by the Peruvian state in recognition of her contribution to education. Sr Patricia McLaughlin, who has been ministering in Peru since 2000, has been presented with the 2017 Palmas Magisteriales Award on behalf of the Fe y Alegria School where she is…

A Dublin parish was thrilled to celebrate their annual ‘Mass on the Grass’ event, which organisers say is a great way for everyone to get involved in the community. About 100 people enjoyed the live music and high spirits at North Wall parish’s annual event, with a Mass led by Fr Robert Colclough. There were…

Grandparents have a responsibility to “step in and say something” to help their children and grandchildren, and bring family together. Archbishop Eamon Martin, the Primate of Ireland, said in a Mass celebrating the 2017 Grandparents’ Pilgrimage to Knock that it can be difficult to make connections, especially “in a generation which can be so individualistic”.…