“A society which has lost its religion becomes sooner or later a society which has lost its culture.” This sentiment undergirded the theme of the most recent Ratzinger Symposium held in the Buswells Hotel in Dublin. Entitled ‘The Future of Europe: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives’, the conference pays homage to the theology of Joseph Ratzinger,…

One of Ireland’s oldest priests, the last surviving child of any of the 1916 Rising’s executed leaders, has contested the official record of his father’s trial. Cmdt Michael Mallin, who headed the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) rebels at St Stephen’s Green and the Royal College of Surgeons during the Rising, was executed on May 8,…

Pop star Katy Perry has revealed that God has helped her through dark times in her life when she considered suicide. The singer, whose real name is Katheryn Hudson, said her inner battle between her true identity and her pop star identity as Katy Perry, drove her to depression and suicide. “I so badly want…

Staff Reporter Vatican officials will closely monitor reforms at Maynooth aimed at ensuring the national seminary can move on from recent controversies, The Irish Catholic understands. The hierarchy announced after its recent general meeting that Fr Michael Mullaney will take over as college president on September 1 for a period of three years. Crucially, the…

Short sermons could be key to holding the attention of congregations and could even help draw families with young children back to church, a Derry priest has realised after a spell on American pews. After a sabbatical in Texas where he was encouraged to sit among the congregation to get a sense of how lay…

Karen Gaffney, the first living person with Down Syndrome to receive an honorary doctorate, will address the ‘Save the 8th’ Rally for Life in Dublin city centre on July 1. Ms Gaffney has captured global attention, not only for her personal achievements but for her work on inclusion for people with Down Syndrome and her…

Large crowds have been in attendance to venerate a relic of Mother Teresa, which is being brought across the island by the Knights of St Columbanus. It is in Ballaghdreen Cathedral, Co. Roscommon from today until Saturday, before being brought to Tuam Cathedral, Co. Galway until next Monday (June 26). From August 11 the Cathedral…

Tributes have poured in for the late Limerick priest, Fr Jack Finucane, who passed away last week at the age of 80. Alongside his elder brother and fellow priest Aengus, Fr Jack was instrumental in humanitarian relief efforts such as providing thousands of tons of food during the Nigerian famine in Biafra during the 1960s.…

There has been a decline in Irish abortion numbers for the 15th consecutive year. According to the official statistics released by the British Department of Health, 3,265 women travelled from Ireland to England to have an abortion. This number stems from a continual drop since 2001 where the number of Irish abortions was 6,673. “Reasons…

Kieran Stafford, newly elected National President of the Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVP), has promised to focus on alleviating the financial and emotional hurdles of struggling local communities. Succeeding Geoff Meagher who held the position for the past five years, Stafford has reconfirmed that the Vincentian ethos will continue to be “committed to…