Courtney McGrailA Dublin-based priest has welcomed proposals for greater use of school buildings, but cautioned that such usage would need proper funding. As part of a three-year strategy, Education Minister Richard Bruton has outlined plans for school buildings to be made available out of hours for afterschool care, homework clubs and other community activities. “I’m all…
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World News in Brief
Bishops criticise refugee camp closures Kenya’s bishops have added their voices to calls by the Jesuit Refugee Service and others for their government to reconsider plans to close refugee camps and repatriate refugees. The government announced its plans on May 6, claiming that the refugees posed a security threat, particularly from Somali Islamist group al-Shabab. Welcoming how the government…
I’m not knocking Church, insists dropped Cork reader
Greg DalyThe political activist dropped as reader from Cobh cathedral has criticised attempts to use his situation as grounds to attack the Church. Social Democrat Ken Curtin discovered on Sunday, May 15, that cathedral administrator Fr John McCarthy had removed him from the reading rota at St Colman’s Cathedral because of his party’s support for repealing…
Polish army to police WYD finale
The Polish army will help provide security during World Youth Day, a spokesman has said. The July 31 meeting on the last day of the Pope’s visit to Krakow for the Catholic festival will take place in meadows near the city that could be difficult to protect and difficult to evacuate in an emergency, as…
Irish missionaries are a blessing – Filipino cardinal
Mags GarganThe Filipino cardinal tipped by many as a possible successor to Pope Francis has described Irish missionaries as a blessing for their work with the “poorest people in the Philippines”. Cardinal Luis Tagle was visiting Ireland last week to conduct the clergy retreat for the Diocese of Meath and during his stay he paid a…
Derry seminars for priests and chaplains
Thornhill Ministries in Derry is hosting a workshop by Fr Hugh Lagan SMA for those working as chaplains, in healthcare teams or pastoral teams, and a seminar specifically for clergy. Fr Lagan is a native of Maghera, Co. Derry, a priest with the Society of African Missions and a clinical psychologist. He is currently…
Nuncio blesses Sligo learning centre
Dave Feeney from Summerhill College, Sligo, presenting the papal nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, with a picture of the ancient monastic settlement of Innishmurry, taken by past pupil Ciaran McHugh, at the blessing of the Bishop Christopher Jones Learning Centre, a new art extension for students with autism. Photo: Karl Brennan
De La Salle schools’ presentations
The De La Salle Mission Council in Ireland organised a schools’ presentation for eight primary and secondary schools recently. Schools from Macroom, Castlebar, Dundalk, Waterford and Dublin submitted a variety of projects on the theme: Who is St John Baptist de la Salle? Over a hundred students and teachers displayed and edited their projects in…
Papal visit could see ‘significant’ gesture – Archbishop Martin
Staff reporter Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has predicted that a 2018 papal visit could see a “significant” gesture of reconciliation from Pope Francis. Speaking at a press conference in Rome this week to launch the theme of the World Meeting of Families, Dr Martin said “I think that a visit to Northern Ireland, even a short visit,…
Fundraising for World Meeting of Families to be rolled out at Masses
Cathal BarryA major fundraising drive for World Meeting of Families in Dublin in 2018 is set to be rolled out at Masses across the country this weekend. The Irish Catholic understands that a target of €12 million has been set to support the hosting of the event, which will be held in Dublin from August 22-26,…