Housing and homelessness campaigners have called on politicians for “clear, actionable” plans to deal with the housing crisis as current proposals “remain vague”. It has also been urged for a referendum to be held regarding making housing a Constitutional right – something promised by Government parties five years ago. Speaking at the European Housing First…

The Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative continues their work to prevent drug use on a national level with ongoing changes to address their message to today’s youth. “We’re updating the pledge for sixth-class students, making it more relevant while educating them about the risks of alcohol and drug use,” explained to The Irish Catholic the IBDI…

A monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II for the increase of vocations is making its way through Ireland. ‘The Vocations Monstrance’ will visit twelve dioceses over a two-weeks period, from November 18 to 29. St Pope John Paul blessed in total six monstrances for vocations prayer in 2004, one for each continent. The monstrance…

A healthcare chaplain has said that the “concern, worry, and anxiety” around the issue of assisted suicide and euthanasia after the Dáil’s recent vote to acknowledge a report that calls on the Government to legalise assisted dying in certain restricted circumstances, demands inclusion as an item on the election agenda. Speaking to The Irish Catholic,…

Exclusive   There is a “crisis” among young people who “we are losing to self-harm, through addiction and reckless actions”, the Bishop of Derry has warned. Bishop Donal McKeown told The Irish Catholic that “our priests are constantly burying young people who die for want of a reason for living”, while also saying the Church…

Historian and broadcaster Gabriel Doherty died at the age of 56 last Friday, November 8. Mr Doherty was a lecturer at the University College Cork School of History and a widely published historian, he edited two books and contributed to many articles and historical journals. Mary E. Fitzgibbon, a spokesperson for Ireland Stand Up, a…

The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (O.C.S.O.) also known as ‘Trappists’, on a historic move, has found a new community merging three established ones. The three communities are Mount Melleray Abbey from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea from the Diocese of Killaloe and Mellifont Abbey from the…

Speaking ahead of the ‘Come and See’ retreat this weekend in St Patrick’s College Maynooth, an event organised for men exploring a vocation and reflecting “more deeply on a call” to diocesan priesthood, the National Diocesan Vocations Coordinator for the Irish Episcopal Conference said that the rise in the number of enquiries discerning a vocation…

The community of Kingscourt Parish, Co. Cavan celebrated on November 7 the launch of a new edition of Pass it On, a book of prayers, inspirational poems, quotes and motivational words of encouragement to be ‘passed on’ from one generation to the next. The first edition was published in 2012 as an initiative of the…

Politicians have reported that the main issues emerging at the doors of houses across the country as they canvass their way around country lanes and sprawling estates primarily concern the “incredible” cost of living and the lack of housing, issues that are contributing to an “overwhelming sense that the Government has lost control of everything”.…