A Rome-based moral theologian has said the Vatican has an obligation to block plans by the Sisters of Charity to facilitate the building of a new National Maternity Hospital where it is expected that abortions will take place. Fr Kevin O’Reilly OP, who lectures in Rome’s Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, better known as…

Record numbers of pilgrims visited St Patrick’s Purgatory in Lough Derg for the opening weekend of the island shrine’s 2017 Three-Day Pilgrimage season. With numbers up 10% on last year’s opening weekend, Fr Owen McEneaney, Prior of Lough Derg, told The Irish Catholic that it was even more heartening to compare today’s numbers – which…

The World Meeting of Families (WMOF) should leave behind a legacy of helping families caught in the “disgraceful” homeless crisis in Ireland, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said. Speaking at a conference on the WMOF, Dr Martin said there should not only be a spiritual legacy from the event, but also a focus on “what we…

The Bishop of Kerry has announced that from September, no funerals in the diocese will take place on a Sunday, for liturgical reasons and because of the reduction in priests. acknowleged that “many will have reservations about this decision” but said it had been taken “after extensive consultation with laity and clergy throughout the diocese”…

Meath composer writes hymn for papal visit A musician from the Diocese of Meath has been selected to write the lead hymn for the World Meeting of Families. Entitled ‘A Joy for all the World’, the hymn was composed by Ephrem Feeley, one of Ireland’s most established composers of liturgical music, with over 200 pieces…

The Superior General of the Missionary Society of St Columban has criticised the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement as “jeopardising” global efforts to prevent the destruction of the planet. Fr Kevin O’Neill SSC said the Columbans “stand against policies that negatively affect the communities we serve, our common home, and in particular the…

Christians are finding it increasingly difficult to share their faith in the workplace and even among family, according to the newly appointed Presbyterian Moderator. Rev. Dr Noble McNeely was officially installed as the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland (PCI) at a general assembly on Tuesday in Belfast. He told the congregation 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…

The Church is “concerned” about a potential referendum on abortion in Ireland, but it will not influence the nature of the Pope’s planned visit next year. With a referendum on the issue becoming more likely Cardinal Kevin Farrell said that it is Pope Francis’ intention to come, and if it is not Pope Francis it…