Maronite bishops welcome ecumenical embrace The embrace in Cuba between Pope Francis and the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and their subsequent Joint Declaration represent “an ecumenical and prophetic step”, the bishops of the Maronite Church have said. Recognising how the February 12 encounter had been “prompted by a shared sense of responsibility”, the Maronite bishops thanked Pope Francis for…
The Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) has distanced itself from suggestions that it supports a programme aimed at 11 and 12 year olds which endorses the view that children can change sex. A pilot programme entitled ‘Altogether Now!’, currently being tested in some primary schools, describes itself as “supported by” an advisory group whose members…
The sound of song and laughter emanating from the Church of the Most Holy Sacrament in Cherry Orchard, Dublin last week, not to mention the giant inflatable candle at the door, signalled that the Redemptorist parish was once again hosting its annual Candleweek mission, the “biggest event of the year” in the parish. This year…
Frank Kelly was a “committed” Catholic, according to the celebrated actor’s former parish priest. Mr Kelly, who was famous for roles including Fr Jack Hackett in the hit series Fr Ted, died on Sunday aged 77. Speaking to The Irish Catholic ahead of concelebrating at the actor’s funeral on Wednesday at the Church of the…
A human rights lawyer and anti-death penalty activist named Julian McMahon, who was recently proclaimed ‘Australian of the Year’ in his home state of Victoria, is every bit as much a part of the Catholic story in Australia today as the embattled Cardinal George Pell. You really wouldn’t know that, however, from coverage of the…
Over 3,000 people participated in a pro-life rally in Cork on Saturday, which called for the continued protection of mothers and babies from abortion. The rally was preceded by Mass at the Church of Ss Peter and Paul celebrated by Bishop John Buckley. Original Photo (not pictured on website): Cillian Kelly
Paul Keenan examines a report on a long-suffering Christian community African commentators are clearly divided on Nigeria’s fortunes over the last 11 months. ‘We have never had it so bad.’ No. ‘The rule of law is coming back!’ No. ‘Nigeria is in a critical situation both economically and politically.’ An appraisal of the current state of affairs in Nigeria nearly one year into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is very much an exercise in consulting divided opinions.…
The Irish bishops are currently investigating the possibility of developing their own Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) programme for use in Catholic schools amid concerns about what is currently being taught in those schools, The Irish Catholic understands. Bishop Kevin Doran told this newspaper he is “anxious” that an RSE programme in keeping with Church…
Australia’s Cardinal George Pell has denied knowing anything about the abusive activities of a fellow cleric when he was a priest in the Victoria suburb of Ballarat in the 1970s. The cardinal has also claimed that he was victim to “a gross deception” by his then bishop, Dr Robert Mulkearns, and Msgr Leo Fiscalini, with…
Staff Reporter Parishioners have a “duty” to look out for priests who may be depressed as a result of being over-worked, a leading psychiatrist has warned. Prof. Patricia Casey told The Irish Catholic that priests, particularly since the abuse scandals, are “sometimes seen as not being human and that they are supposed to be like sponges…
Greg Daly
Mags Gargan
Cathal Barry
John L. Allen Jr.
Paul Keenan