Permanent Deacons from across the globe gathered in Rome from February 21 to 23 for the Jubilee of Deacons. Among the Irish representatives were Msgr La Flynn and Deacon Martin Donnelly from Lough Derg, who in 2025 are celebrating their 50th and 7th anniversary of ordination to permanent diaconate respectively. Speaking to The Irish Catholic,…
The Benedictine communities of Kylemore Abbey and of Abtei St Scholastika, Dinklage, Germany gave tribute to Mother Máire Hickey OSB who died on Sunday, February 23. Sr Hickey is known to have been a primary driver behind the building of the Benedictines new monastery, retreat, and education centre. She laid the first brick on February…
The death has occurred of a much-loved priest who won plaudits for his work exposing the mistreatment of prisoners and abuses by the security forces during the troubles. Msgr Raymond Murray, who was in his late 80s, also published books including with his clerical colleagues Msgr Denis Faul, who died some years ago. Fr Murray…
The Standing Committee of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has recently released a message to the faithful, encouraging them to unite in daily prayer of the Rosary after their gathering in the Columba Centre of St Patrick’s Pontifical College, Maynooth. The prayer will being broadcasted every evening from St Peter’s Square at 8pm (Ireland time),…
Ash Wednesday falls on March 5 this year, marking the start of Lent. The Pioneers, inspired by Pope Francis’ 2025 Lenten message, are encouraging people to “journey in hope together.” In his message, the Holy Father challenges the faithful to step outside their comfort zones and engage with others, a call that is especially vital…
Bishop Fintan Monahan The quality of Jesus and God the Father that was echoed and reflected in the life and ministry of Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh. His Episcopal motto was ‘Cineáltas Chríost, the Gentleness of Christ’. During the week we were busy praying for the health and recovery of Pope Francis. While we were doing…
As conflict and economic hardship continue to plague Sudan and South Sudan, the Catholic bishops are calling on the governments of both countries to exempt the Catholic Church from taxes, in order to enable it to accomplish its missions more effectively. In his opening remarks at the start of the meeting of the Episcopal Conference…
With the European Union poised to ease sanctions on Syria following the ouster of its former governing regime last fall, Europe’s bishops have urged the protection of persecuted communities and investment in rebuilding. In a February 19 statement, Bishop Mariano Crociata of Latina and President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European…
Armagh school celebrated the opening of a new multi-purpose sports hall and modular classrooms on Wednesday, February 19. Foley Primary School in Ballymacnab received Education Minister Paul Givan and Archbishop Eamon Martin amongst other guests for the occasion. The £1.1 million investment project includes the multi-purpose sports hall, two mobile classrooms, new school central heating…
Since the ceiling of a historical church in Salvador, Bahia state, fell and killed a tourist on February 5, government agencies have already shut down 12 churches in the city under risk of collapsing. Definite solutions for the crisis of conservation of ancient churches in the city, however, are not visible yet. The incident at…
Renata Steffens
Renata Milán Morales