Speaking after the second anniversary of the Creeslough tragedy, where 10 people lost their lives after a sudden explosion occurred on the premises of a petrol station in Co. Donegal, Fr John Joe Duffy, hailed for his ministry to the community as parish priest at the time, said that people are now attempting to “come to…
A primary school teacher based in Dublin who drew attention to the apparent removal of references to Christmas/Nollaig in the textbook Abair Liom for 5th class pupils, has described the change in language, which makes reference to ‘winter markets’ instead, as not something that teachers or parents have advocated for while others involved in Catholic…
Former minister and Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke, who was the first woman elected to Athlone Urban District Council and subsequently held cabinet positions as the Minister for Health and also the Minister for Education throughout the 1980s and 1990s, was described as a person of “strong character and personality” and somebody whose life was…
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has appointed Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe as its delegate for the 2025 Jubilee Year. Bishop Monahan announced the launch of a countdown timer on CatholicBishops.ie to help people anticipate the Holy Year. Various groups, including clergy, religious communities, and lay ministries, will mark special jubilee occasions both in Rome…
Letter from Rome On the first day of the final session of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, a study group responsible for evaluating the female diaconate has said that, while still exploring other forms of women’s’ involvement in the Church, they will not become deacons. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Vatican’s…
Pope Francis last Sunday announced a consistory in December for the creation of 21 new cardinals from all over the world, representing yet again the Pope’s love of the peripheries and his inclination to reward key allies. Speaking during his October 6 Angelus address, the Pope announced that “on December 8, a consistory will be…
Daily Mass readings are now available in Irish through the Catholic lay association Evangelizo. The Irish language is among the seventeen other languages available for over half a million speakers worldwide. Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian welcomed the initiative: “Reading the Scriptures in Irish, or indeed in any language, is an extraordinary way…
In Belgium, the Pope asked for forgiveness for the abuse and cover-up scandal that rocked the country. At the same time, he condemned abortion – using not new, but harsh words. And this is having an effect. Pope Francis’ harsh words against abortion have apparently triggered a diplomatic crisis between Belgium and the Vatican. Belgium’s…
Recent figures highlighting increased pressure on Ireland’s homeless services due to asylum seekers must not be “exploited” as there is space for both Irish homeless and those seeking international protection. Homelessness campaigners have insisted that pointing the finger at any group is “very wrong” and that it is up to Government to respond appropriately to…
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s call for political parties in the south to make Irish reunification “an objective” and not “an aspiration”, has been met with a call for sensitivity and an understanding that Northern Ireland is still “not a united place”. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Former Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, Baroness Nuala O’Loan,…
Brandon Scott
Renata Steffens
Chai Brady