Legendary golfer Christy O’Connor Snr has been described as a “man of faith” by the priest who presided at his funeral.  Fr Martin Hogan of the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Clontarf told The Irish Catholic that Mr O’Connor was “very much a man of faith”. “He was very involved in the parish.…

Vatican Bank is ‘clean’ – director general The Vatican Bank is now “absolutely clean”, according to its director general, who says it is now “impossible to launder money” through the institution. Gian Franco Mammi made the claim following the publication of the 2015 report for the bank, officially known as the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR). According to the…

Abortion is a priority issue for just 5% of voters, according to the latest opinion poll. Asked “what are the main issues or problems you feel the new Government should focus on over the next year or two?”, just one voter in 20 mentioned abortion as a priority issue.   The Behaviour & Attitudes poll, which…

A Congolese bishop has expressed concerns that unless President Joseph Kabila’s government and opposition parties can reconcile their differences, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s upcoming elections will be marred by violence. Kasongo’s Bishop Placide Lubamba Ndjibu of Kasongo said sharp political differences remain between Kabila and his opponents, notably his one-time ally Moise Katumbi,…

President praises Capuchins’ work President Michael D. Higgins praised the work of the Capuchin community with the homeless at a 1916 Rising commemoration event at the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin. During a service to celebrate the Labour founder James Connolly, President Higgins said the rebel leader and the founders of the Irish Citizen Army…

The Italian government’s approval of a bill granting legal recognition to non-married heterosexual and homosexual couples is a defeat for democracy and family life, a prominent Italian bishop has said. The legislation was passed by the Italian Senate in February after its sponsors removed a clause allowing a non-biological parent in a homosexual union to…

Fr Tom Mangan, PP Donoghmore/Knockea/Roxboro in Co. Limerick with Frank and Brid Laing, Noel Hartigan, Brian McMahon, Fiona Godrey, Miriam Gallgher and Paula Ni Dhonaile, getting ready for their skydive which takes place on May 22 as a fundraiser for improvements to the parish parochial house. Photo: Brendan Gleeson

Europe needs a “memory transfusion” if it is to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, and to pursue a renewed dream of Europe based on Europe’s deep roots, rather than “the shifting sands of immediate results”, Pope Francis has said. Speaking at a ceremony to mark his being awarded the Charlemagne Prize for service…

Staff Reporter Screening for Down Syndrome in unborn infants should be reconsidered, comedy actress and writer Sally Phillips has said. Responding to the introduction of new screening methods, the Miranda star said on BBC Radio 4’s Today show, “as a parent of someone with Down Syndrome I find this arms race for new technologies a bit…

‘Beatnik Jesuit friend’ Fr Daniel Berrigan lived the resurrection Fr Daniel Berrigan SJ, whose protests against government policies earned him multiple prison sentences, was remembered during his funeral Mass as a “fierce, mischievous visionary”, a “Beatnik Jesuit friend”, a priest who “taught the sacrament of resistance” and a loving uncle ruled by faith, not fear. More than 800 people packed New York’s Church…