Medical experts have poured cold water on reports of a vision of the Virgin Mary at Knock shrine at the weekend, advising that staring at the sun can cause blurred vision. The Association of Optometrists Ireland warned of the “very high risk of a retinal burn” after a video was posted on the internet of…

Parishes that don’t employ a youth minister reap the benefits of other parishes’ investments according to a Galway priest. Fr Brendan Kilcoyne spoke at a conference last week designed to showcase youth ministry options for parishes in Ireland. He urged young people to engage in youth ministry, saying it is “urgent” and “profoundly meaningful” as…

Ireland is delivering 100 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to help refugees from South Sudan who are fleeing their homes. This includes tarpaulins, blankets, cooking sets and mosquito nets which are being airlifted to refugee camps in Uganda. South Sudan has been embroiled in a civil conflict since December 2013 with refugees escaping to neighbouring countries.…

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…

Remembering those who have died or have suffered injury from accidents on Irish farms will be the focus an ecumenical remembrance service to be held in Co. Laois. Around 120 families have contacted the directors of Embrace Farm, a bereavement support group, for their loved one to be remembered this year. This annual event, which…

Derry’s Bishop Donal McKeown has urged the North’s newly elected MPs to serve all those in Northern Ireland, calling them to focus their efforts on those most in need. “The politicians, whatever their party, have been elected to look after the people, especially the weakest, and it doesn’t matter what party they come from: that…

An historic ruling by the Supreme Court against the prohibition on a right to work for asylum seekers has been welcomed as an opportunity to restore the dignity of those living in direct provision. Stephen Ng’ang’a, the coordinator of Core Group of Asylum Seekers, told The Irish Catholic the right to work would mean “asylum…

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has defended the Sisters of Charity and believes there should be a voluntary component to the new National Maternity Hospital. This comes as the Sisters of Charity released a statement last month saying they intend to end their involvement in St Vincent’s Healthcare Group. There was criticism over the nuns’ involvement in…