The 400th anniversary of the birth of the martyred St Oliver Plunkett was celebrated at a service on Wednesday in Drogheda. Fr Eugene Sweeney PP said: “Oliver Plunkett lived at a remarkably difficult and chaotic time.  His resilience, courage and constant efforts for peace and justice are truly inspiring, and therefore it is appropriate to…

Many of the faithful in Ireland are facing ‘polite persecution’, according to a Belfast-based priest. Speaking at a Mass for persecuted Christians on RTÉ One this past Sunday, Fr Tim Bartlett warned that religious freedom—one of the cornerstones of “a genuinely diverse, pluralist, and free society”—is increasingly under threat, even in nations that claim to…

Accessible liturgies are an “absolute imperative”, said the Chaplain for the Deaf Community in Munster, John Patrick Doherty. “Today, with Irish Sign Language (ISL) officially recognised as the first language of the Deaf Community in Ireland since 2017, there is an even greater responsibility to ensure that this language is fully integrated into the life…

One of the Sacred Heart Statues blessed by Pope Francis have arrived in Raphoe Diocese. The statue was first displayed in St Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny during Mass on the evening of February 7 and remains available for public veneration until today, when it moves on to Kilcar. The Votive Mass was celebrated by Msgr Kevin…

Irish military chaplains, clergy and lay people recently gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel. During this, Fr Willie Doyle SJ, who was killed in WWI while serving, was remembered. Bishop Tom Deenihan of Meath addressed those present at the event: “It is remarkable that such a gathering…

A priority for the new Minister for Education must be to tackle chronic teacher shortages as it is causing schools to “struggle” to help children, particularly those with special needs, according to the Catholic Education Partnership (CEP). Alan Hynes, CEO of the CEP told The Irish Catholic that “from the point of view of a…

For the third year in a row, Newman University Church, located in Co. Dublin, will be celebrating couples that have been married in the same church for over 100 years. A special Mass will be hosted for the couples on February 16, followed by a reception with champagne and chocolates. During this month, Newman University…

Ireland’s coming population crisis will not be solved by secular people new study claims Young people who embrace religions like Christianity that strongly value marriage and having children will form the future core of Ireland’s dwindling population as their secular counterparts are less likely to marry and have children, the Iona Institute has said. Ireland’s…

On Monday, February 3 the Feast of St Blaise was celebrated, patron of throat illnesses, animals, wool combers and wool trading. In Ireland it was also the bank holiday for St Brigid. Parishioners gathered in St Canice’s Church, Finglas Parish for 10am Mass and blessing of the throats afterwards. Laura Maguire, a parishioner from Ballymun…