The Philippines’ Catholic Bishops’ Conference has prepared a response to an attack on the Philippine Church by president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, but has decided not to publish it until after his presidential inauguration on June 30. The bishops’ response has been prepared against a background of apprehension that Mr Duterte’s accession to the presidency may see…

Third level Catholic institutes provide an environment for the contest of ideas as well as the communication of ancient truths, writes Michael W. Higgins

‘Celibacy is a huge gift to the Church’

The release of a celebrated priest means little, writes Paul Keenan

The National Vocations Coordinator has hailed the “amazing” response he received to a pilot programme which consulted young people about the best way to promote vocations to the priesthood. Fr Willie Purcell, based in the Diocese of Ossory, consulted with three groups of young people over recent weeks – a secondary school group, those involved…

Chaplains working in Catholic schools have urged stressed students sitting important State exams to turn to prayer to help them cope. Belvedere College SJ chaplain Trish Carroll told The Irish Catholic that “faith when times are difficult can be a linchpin for many students”. “Within my work as chaplain, I try to foster the spirit…

Kildare & Leighlin is the latest diocese to look abroad to fill clerical appointments in order to counter the decline in priest numbers. Announcing the diocesan appointments for the coming year, Bishop Denis Nulty said he was “aware of the huge demands on priests in 2016 and each year the changes will get that bit…

A priest working at the coalface in Dublin’s north inner city has said a “spiritual battle” is needed to help tackle the ongoing gang violence there. Fr Robert Colclough of St Laurence O’Toole Church, Seville Place, told The Irish Catholic that the Church has a responsibility to challenge criminals who were carrying out shootings and…