The Government has been urged to streamline the process for vetting people to work in schools amidst a huge backlog in the safeguarding system. Changes in the vetting process, to ensure that people are safe to work with children, led to a “very large upsurge” in applications for such clearance, according to Seamus Mulconry General…
The wedding ceremony of a Donegal couple has become an internet sensation after singer Daniel O’Donnell led other singing stars in a musical ‘flashmob’ from the altar in honour of the newly-weds. In a move unexpected by either Patricia Swan or new husband Neil, after celebrant Fr Pat Ward had sung the opening line of…
A Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Dublin has questioned the awarding of the freedom of Dublin to former US President Barrack Obama. In a message on social media reacting to news that Lord Mayor Brendan Carr had proposed the honour during a City Council meeting, Fr Pádraig Ó Cochláin of St Canice’s in Finglas…
An Irish author whose exposé on the crimes of infamous US abortionist Kermit Gosnell has become a nationwide bestseller in America has attacked the New York Times for failing to feature the book on its respected Bestseller List. Documentary maker Phelim McAleer, who is co-author of Gosnell: The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial…
Staff Reporter The Irish Times newspaper has been forced to apologise to respected columnist John Waters for an article over two years ago that was “open to the interpretation” that he was homophobic. A note in the February 6 edition of the Irish Times, referred to “an opinion column in the edition of January 20,…
A leading homelessness campaigner has expressed reservations about the proposal for the State to set up a so-called ‘friendly vulture fund’ to aid people experiencing mortgage distress. Such a charitable organisation that would buy distressed loans from hard-pressed homeowners and allow them to stay in their homes would be a key step in tackling Ireland’s…
A fundraising ball for health services in Co. Clare, prompted by a young woman’s unshakeable belief in angels, will take place this May 20. The Pink Angel Ball owes its name to the description Maureen Lavery offered of the figure she said was accompanying her through her final months with terminal cancer. Maureen died in…
Staff Reporter Members of the Syro-Malabar community in Northern Ireland have offered prayers for the safe release of Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, an Indian Salesian missing in Yemen since he was kidnapped by Islamic extremists last March. Joining with a novena initiated by the Salesian community worldwide, Syro-Malabars attended a day of adoration of the Blessed…
The Bishops’ Council for Education has offered a welcome for Minister Richard Bruton’s words on religious education in Catholic schools and his proposals for a consultative process on any future divestment of schools. In a statement on behalf of the Council, its chair, Bishop Brendan Kelly said “The Council for Education will study these proposals…
A Mullingar-based priest’s literal interpretation of ‘tending to the flock’ has struck a chord across his rural parish. With farmers working through a busy period of lambing Fr Robert McGivney undertook to bless lambs on the farm of friends in his community, an act which met with such positivity among others that the priest has…
Greg Daly
Paul Keenan