Leaving Certificate students were surprised that the Eucharistic Congress made an appearance instead of an anticipated question on the Treaty in their History exam this year. While some students would have been familiar with the Eucharistic Congress that was held in Dublin in 2012, only those who were well prepared would have been ready for…

A prominent abuse survivor has welcomed a new realism and sense of urgency in how the Church is dealing with abuse and child protection.  “Maybe it’s becoming more difficult for people in leadership to stay in place when their positions are untenable, and it’s good that resignations are being accepted more quickly,” Marie Collins told…

Cardinals embrace wide reform agenda The 10th meeting of Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinal Advisers made recommendations on Vatican reform, finance, safeguarding, and communications, and heard plans for the impending papal encyclical on the environment, according to Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi. The ‘C9’ examined a draft preamble to the new curial constitution, before Cardinal…

A group of lay Catholics seeking liberal reform in the Church in Ireland have called on the hierarchy to consider holding a national assembly. Members of the Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) made the proposal at a meeting with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin recently. Whether Archbishop Martin supports such an assembly is unknown.…

The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has said that it is unacceptable that the HSE might not investigate circumstances surrounding abortions in Irish hospitals. Responding to reports of how staff at a Leinster hospital were concerned that an abortion was granted to a woman who presented as pregnant and suicidal, despite her having no history of…

About 2,800 young people from Co. Donegal, Derry City, Co. Derry and Co. Tyrone attended the annual Fan the Flame Mass in Celtic Park, Derry for children who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Derry during the past year. The main celebrant was Bishop Donal McKeown. The Long Tower Folk Group…

Ireland has gone very quiet on Asia Bibi, writes Greg Daly

Ireland has ‘turned its back’ on Asia Bibi

Scaremongering and shameful silence are causing tension, writes Paul Keenan

Bishop Donal McKeown gives a high five to some of the nearly 3,000 students who attended the Fan the Flame Mass in Celtic Park, Derry for children who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Derry during the past year. See Page 8. Photo: Stephen Latimer