A group campaigning for the abolition of Ireland’s constitutional protections for the unborn returned a grant of $24,999 to the US-based Open Societies Foundation after being directed to do so by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), The Irish Catholic has learned. According to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act, the Abortion…
TheJournal.ie has been forced to change the verdict of its FactCheck on the enrolment policies of Catholic schools following a challenge from the Iona Institute. Iona’s Maria Steen appeared on RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live a few weeks ago to debate the admissions policy of denominational schools. Ms Steen said that with regard to certain measures,…
Singer Demi Lovato has thanked God for breaking the curse of addiction in her life. The star took to Instagram to mark five years of sobriety saying she was “so grateful” and she “couldn’t have done it without my higher power (God)”. “It’s been quite the journey. So many ups and downs,” the 24-year-old wrote.…
A charity election campaign that has energised a Wexford parish since January has raised over €72,000 and boosted community spirit, according to a local priest. Describing the ‘Mayor of Barntown’ election as “an election in which everybody has won”, Fr John Carroll told The Irish Catholic a huge debt of gratitude is due to many…
Bishop Denis Nulty has urged more parishes to answer the call of Pope Francis to have a church open for ‘24 Hours for the Lord’, saying “as Church we need to be present more often”. A number of dioceses across the island of Ireland last weekend took part in the worldwide promotion of the Sacrament…
Staff reporter Renua Ireland has announced it is now officially a pro-life political party, with members expected to take a pledge to support a pro-life position. Renua chairman, Michael O’Dowd told The Irish Catholic that a pro-life stance has now become one of the party’s “core principals”. “When the party was founded many people believed…
The Minister for Justice has rejected appeals from publicans to lift the ban on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday, saying it would send “mixed messages” in advance of new legislation to address problem drinking. At a meeting with industry lobbyists last November, Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the “Government needs to avoid…diluting its key…
Parishes in the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois need to prepare for a future without parish priests, Bishop Francis Duffy has warned. In a letter entitled ‘Sustaining our Faith Community’, Dr Duffy said while the diocese currently has 53 clergy serving its 41 parishes, by the time children baptised this year are confirmed the diocese…
Staff Reporter The Pope’s representative in Ireland has said that revelations about scandals in the Church should trigger a “deeper conversion” within Irish Catholicism. Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown said that “the life of the Church on this Earth is not the story of perfection, it is always a mixed story of triumph and failure;…
Bishop Brendan Leahy has paid tribute to Irish Coast Guard pilot Dara Fitzpatrick and members of the Defence Forces who “fearlessly” dedicate their lives to helping others. “Let’s be grateful for all those, like Dara, whose generous spirit reminds us of the measure of love: to love without measure,” the Bishop of Limerick said at…
Greg Daly
Mags Gargan