Ireland’s bishops are likely to ignore plans by ‘silenced’ priest Fr Tony Flannery to celebrate a public Mass on January 22. Redemptorist Fr Flannery, who has been out of ministry since 2012, has announced on his website that he intends to disregard the ban and celebrate his 70th birthday, which will be on January 18,…

Pope Francis has criticised the ‘clericalist’ attitude as “hypocritical” and at odds with Jesus’ example of serving the people of God. In a homily delivered in Casa Santa Marta on January 10, the Pontiff said the attitude communicated by Christ was that “of a servant, and this gave authority…Jesus did not have an allergy to…

The head of the Family and Media Association is “almost definitely” going to complain to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland after the Eucharist was ridiculed on RTÉ’s flagship chat show. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Donal O’Sullivan-Latchford said that he was “very likely” to complain to the BAI after The Late Late Show broadcast on…

Former Irish economist and public servant TK Whittaker (left), who died this week aged 100, pictured with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Seamus Mallon, former deputy leader of the SDLP, at a function in Mr Whittaker’s honour last year.

Pope Francis has issued an ‘urgent action’ prayer intention for the month of January, naming the homeless during the continuing cold weather sweeping Europe. “During these very cold days,” he said, “I think of and I invite you to think of all the people who live on the streets, affected by the cold and many…

A play about the heroic Irish priest Msgr Hugh O’Flaherty is set for its first overseas performances God Has No Country, by Kerry actor and playwright Donal Courtney about the Rome-based World War Two priest, will be performed in Rochester, New York and Penn State University, Pennsylvania in March and April. There have been proposals…

Ireland’s Ambassador to the Holy See has revealed to The Irish Catholic that she offered the nation’s welcome to Pope Francis for his intended visit next year, following the annual papal address to the Diplomatic Corps at the Vatican last Monday. Afforded the opportunity to speak with the Pontiff from among some 180 ambassadors represented,…

Ireland’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Emma Madigan, has spoken of the “impressive and inspiring” address delivered by Pope Francis to the Diplomatic Corps on January 9. Ambassador Madigan joined with representatives from over 180 missions with links to the Holy See to hear the annual address from the Pontiff, which touches on those key…

EXCLUSIVE The Irish hierarchy will not ask Pope Francis to consider permitting priests who left to get married to return to ministry at a meeting in Rome next week after failing to reach a consensus, The Irish Catholic can reveal. However, Bishop Leo O’Reilly, who first brought the proposal for discussion with his fellow Irish…

The new Religious Education programme for primary schools, Grow in Love,  is proving a winner with teachers and parents, according to feedback offered to those rolling out the programme. Fr Dan O’Connor, Episcopal Vicar for Education in the Dublin archdiocese described  as “very positive” the response to information in-service days for teachers tasked with engaging…