Trócaire CEO Seán Farrell has said he is “still haunted” by what he witnessed during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, as the organisation responds to a new outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a post this week, Mr Farrell said Ebola remained “personal” for him after his experience working in Sierra Leone…
Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes has encouraged the diocesan community to consider attending a series of nine information evenings during the month of September intended to explore parish renewal. The information evenings begin on September 15 and end on September 30, and anyone is welcome to attend regardless of past parish role, age, and background.…
Kildare and Leighlin pastoral letter on the new reality of priesthood in Irish dioceses Dear friends, I am writing this Pastoral Letter in response to the new reality that now faces us in Kildare and Leighlin Diocese. The decline in the number of priests, as some are recalled by their own orders or returned…
“As time goes on there is certainly a decrease in active support for our aid workers,” said Mary Morrish to The Irish Catholic about the aid efforts conducted by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) in Venezuela since the double earthquakes on June 24. Ms Morrish highlighted the work of Bro. Deiby Fuenmayor MSC,…
Marking the centenary of the Dromcollogher cinema disaster, Co. Limerick, known as ‘The Burning’, which took place on September 5, 1926, the Dromcollogher26 Group, in partnership with local organisations, are planning a series of events to “finally honour the voices of those who perished, were injured, traumatised or lost loved ones.” The programme, taking place…
Parishes across Ireland have been encouraged to apply for heritage grants to cover costs of eligible projects such as repair and preservation of historic churches, presbyteries, and parish halls. Both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) provide grants to projects prioritising historical conservation and honouring the heritage significance of…
School staff from across Derry Diocese assembled last week for an event of faith and learning at the Catholic Schools’ Religious Education Conference, organised by the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre. The event gathered over 1,200 educators for a two-day event with the theme ‘Drawing New Maps of Hope’. The keynote speaker was Melodie Wyttenback, Executive…
Archbishop Francis Duffy announced the departure of a Tuam priest due to a “safeguarding nature” at two recent weekend Masses. This comes after the archbishop was made aware of investigations by gardaí and Tusla regarding historical abuse allegations against the parish priest. Galway Live reported that the priest in question has been under investigation by…
Church leaders say renewal must take root in parish communities A “real spiritual hunger” is emerging in Ireland as some younger Catholics show a new confidence and intentionality about their faith, Church leaders involved in evangelisation have said. Julieann Moran, General Secretary of the Irish Synodal Pathway, told The Irish Catholic there are “certainly young…
Dublin Archdiocese has launched a new resource designed to help parish and diocesan pastoral councils move away from operating like committees at a “business meeting” and instead adopt a more prayerful, discernment-based approach rooted in the Church’s synodal journey. The resource, titled Becoming a Synodal Pastoral Council, was developed over several months by the Archdiocese’s Mission…