Category: News

Education is now available at first, second and third levels on the campus of St Michael’s College in Dublin.   Dublin has now joined Rome as only the second European country to host the overseas programme of Duquesne University, the United States only Spiritan university.   With the arrival of 12 students this month, St…

Police patrol threatened Catholic schools

Police patrolled outside three Catholic schools in north Belfast this week after an alleged loyalist threat of “military action” against pupils.   It has been claimed the threat was issued by the Red Hand Defenders, a loyalist paramilitary group based in Northern Ireland.   The paramilitary group said parents, pupils and staff were “no longer…

Homelessness ‘out of control’ – charity

Homeless services are in a worse state now than ever before, according to the Peter McVerry Trust which launched its 2012 annual report this week.   After 30 years of working to eliminate homelessness, the trust said the problem is now worse than ever, perhaps even out of control.   According to its 2012 annual…

Claims that priestly celibacy leads to sexual abuse have been rejected by a leading expert.   US-based Prof. Philip Jenkins, who has spent decades researching the area told The Irish Catholic this week that there is “no evidence whatever that Catholic or other celibate clergy are any more or less likely to be involved in…

Papal invitation drive by layman

A Catholic layman from Co. Kildare has taken it upon himself to create a Catholic drive towards inviting Pope Benedict to visit Ireland in time for the International Eucharistic Congress. Liam Prendergast has written to every parish in Ireland requesting that parish priests and other volunteers gather signatures of Catholics over the age of 16…

We must stand up for minority schools – priest

  A Donegal priest is standing in solidarity with his Church of Ireland counterpart to protest against budget cuts which could adversely affect not only the local parish school but 27 out of 31 Protestant schools in Co. Donegal. ‘Budget 2012 will inflict serious damage and reek havoc particularly on small schools throughout Ireland. This…

Many reasons to celebrate

  The community of Blanchardstown parish came together in large numbers last Wednesday to celebrate a combination of the feast day of St Brigid, parish patron, the journey to the Eucharistic Congress (IEC) and the beginning of a year of celebration for the 175th anniversary of St Brigid’s church. ”It is a group of celebration…