Staff reporter The Primate of All-Ireland has warned against allowing this year’s centenary commemorations of the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme to divide Irish people. “I hope that in our remembrance of 1916, we are very aware of the present and the possibility that we could drive a wedge during this year, rather…
Category: Irish News
From one homeless advocate to another
Last Friday, following Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, Capuchin Friars Bro. Peter Rodgers (centre), Director of CORI, and Bro. Kevin Crowley, Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People, were introduced to Pope Francis. Bro. Peter, speaking in Italian, told the Pope how Bro. Kevin has been working with the homeless for 46 years in Dublin.…
National assembly of De La Salle brothers
De La Salle brothers from different parts of Ireland assembled recently in Castletown, Portlaoise to take stock and plan for the future. The day began with morning prayer, followed by the ‘Report of the Year’ by Bro. Francis Manning, Irish Sector Coordinator. Bro. Laurence Hughes, Oxford, newly appointed provincial, was the chief speaker. He presented…
Limerick bishop launches book on mercy
Bishop Brendan Leahy has launched a new book which considers the subject of mercy, not only through a careful reading of relevant Scripture passages, but by exploring revealing extracts from literary classics and examples from popular culture. The book, The Message of Mercy, is written by Amalee Meehan, who works in faith development at the…
Papal honour for Gougane Barra sacristan
Sheila O’Leary, retired sacristan of St Finbarr’s Oratory, Gougane Barra in Co. Cork was honoured recently as a Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian order of St Sylvester. It was a fitting honour for Sheila O’Leary who gave so much of her time to the church. On December 29, Sheila was surrounded by her daughters Pauline…
Government neglect killing rural Ireland, priests warn
Cathal Barry and Mags Gargan ‘Brain drain’ threatening many parishes The Government has been accused of neglecting rural Ireland to such an extent that many people see no hope for the future, priests at the coalface have told The Irish Catholic. Clare-based Fr Harry Bohan said rural communities “have been so badly neglected that it is nearly impossible to…
100 million Christians ‘persecuted for their beliefs’
Systematic religious cleansing of Christians is widespread across Africa and the Middle East, according to a new report published this week. The Open Doors 2016 World Watch List reveals that every year well over 100 million Christians are persecuted because of their beliefs. North Korea remains the most dangerous place on Earth to be a…
Bishop on the ball with Gaza’s Christian community
Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, plays soccer with boys while visiting Gaza City. The bishop was part of a delegation from North America, Europe and South Africa (Photo: CNS).
Golfing legend Christy O’Connor Jr found solace in faith
Irish golfing legend Christy O’Connor Jr’s strong faith “came to his rescue” after his teenage son’s death, his funeral was told on Tuesday. The 67-year-old, known for playing a lead role in Europe’s Ryder Cup win in 1989, had been on holiday in Tenerife when he died in his sleep on Wednesday, January 6. At…
Irish-born US bishop slates ‘cowboy mentality’ gun culture
The Irish-born Bishop of Dallas has criticised as “cowboy” the gun culture in the US. Bishop Kevin Farrell, who was born in Dublin, insisted the “cowboy mentality” that existed in the US with regard to guns was leading to thousands of deaths in the country every year. Dr Farrell told The Irish Catholic that he…

Mags Gargan

Greg Daly

Cathal Barry