Frank Kelly was a “committed” Catholic, according to the celebrated actor’s former parish priest. Mr Kelly, who was famous for roles including Fr Jack Hackett in the hit series Fr Ted, died on Sunday aged 77. Speaking to The Irish Catholic ahead of concelebrating at the actor’s funeral on Wednesday at the Church of the…

The Irish bishops are currently investigating the possibility of developing their own Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) programme for use in Catholic schools amid concerns about what is currently being taught in those schools, The Irish Catholic understands. Bishop Kevin Doran told this newspaper he is “anxious” that an RSE programme in keeping with Church…

Staff Reporter Parishioners have a “duty” to look out for priests who may be depressed as a result of being over-worked, a leading psychiatrist has warned. Prof. Patricia Casey told The Irish Catholic that priests, particularly since the abuse scandals, are “sometimes seen as not being human and that they are supposed to be like sponges…

Vigilant parishes have foiled an attempt by fraudsters to take advantage of the Trócaire Lenten box appeal. Some homes in two parishes in Co. Offaly were visited by individuals in mid-February claiming to be involved with Trócaire’s Lenten campaign. They delivered Trócaire boxes to the door and left instructions that they would call back after…

Last week the Passionist community of the Ardoyne in Belfast opened the refurbished Houben Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in one of the most contentious pieces of ground in the city. The building, originally built as the Boy’s National School in 1914, and more recently a centre for parish activities, is now dedicated to the…

Olympic boxing champion Katie Taylor, known for her strong Christian faith, has said that Irish society is “open to everything except for God”. While the boxer has been mocked for her public expressions of faith, she said “it’s not something that really bothers me”, but that it was a “shame” that in the “country of…

The Master of the Rotunda Hospital has declined to say whether he believes expectant mothers whose babies have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome should be able to have abortions in Ireland. Asked by The Irish Catholic whether it is his view that women expecting babies with Down Syndrome should be allowed to have abortions in Ireland rather…

Staff Reporter Religious sisters have said they remain undeterred by a bumpy start to their new vocations initiative, the Sisters Cafe. The inaugural pop-up cafe which offered young women an opportunity to hear the faith story of religious sisters and to talk to them in an informal setting, was held in the Dominican Adult Education Centre…

A Galway schoolgirl has said meeting Pope Francis was one of “the most amazing moments of my life” after her question was chosen out of 259 entries from children worldwide to appear in a new children’s book by the Pontiff. Clara Ó Gormáin (11), a pupil of the Jesuit Scoil Iognáid in Galway, appears in…

Bishop Denis Brennan has urged massgoers to invite a family member or friend to return to Church during the Year of Mercy. In his pastoral letter for the Jubilee Year, the Bishop of Ferns set out a number of suggestions as to how the faithful could best mark the jubilee in their diocese. The bishop’s…