The Capuchin Friars were officially welcomed to Knock Shrine on Sunday by the Shrine Rector, Fr Richard Gibbons, with Capuchin Provincial Bro. Sean Kelly describing their new presence there as “a new chapter of our mission”. Pilgrims from all over Ireland travelled to Knock for the annual Padre Pio Retreat and Pilgrimage, with many queuing…
Category: News
NI Parents want ‘full consultation’ on new sex ed regulations, polls shows
Six in 10 parents in the North want “full consultation” on new sexual education regulations, a new poll shows. Seven in 10 parents also strongly oppose the idea that schools can refer children for an abortion without their consent, according to the poll from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). Asked if…
Pro Life Campaign seeks future pro-life leaders
The Future Leaders’ Programme, an initiative of the Pro Life Campaign, is due to begin on Thursday, October 5. The course is aimed at equipping the next generation of pro-life advocates (aged 18-30) with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to effectively articulate the pro-life message. “This great opportunity for young people consists of a…
Archbishop Martin visits Lough Neagh as lake languishes
Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin visited Lough Neagh as the largest freshwater lake in Ireland succumbs to toxic blue-green algae and as the Archbishops of Armagh issued a joint call for a Lough Neagh taskforce to tackle the issue. The algae is killing fish, birds and dogs, with concerns about public health arising too as…
50th anniversary of church at the heart of Dublin community
Members of St Fintan’s parish community, Sutton, Co. Dublin, were joined by Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the church at the heart of their commuimty. Archbishop Farrell was principal celebrant at Mass on Sunday, September 17, joined by priests who have served in the parish over the past…
Omagh sees Derry’s newest ordination
Fr Stephen Ward is Derry’s newest priest following his ordination to the priesthood in Christ the King in Omagh, Co. Tyrone by Bishop McKeown, September 10. The eldest of two children, Fr Ward was born to Patricia and the late Paul Ward, of Killyclogher, Co Tyrone. In January, at Fr Ward’s ordination to the Diaconate…
Legal group pleads on behalf of imprisoned Bishop Álvarez
A Christian legal group has filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on behalf of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who is serving a prison sentence under the regime of President Daniel Ortega for criticising the dictatorship’s human rights violations. Bishop Álvarez, the bishop of Matagalpa, began serving a 26-year, four-month prison…
In Short
Irish Prison Service honoured by Pieta House for promoting mental-health The Irish Prison Service has become the first public or private employer to be awarded the prestigious Amber Flag by Pieta House for its work in promoting mental well-being. This recognition highlights the Service’s commitment to fostering mental well-being and creating a supportive environment for…
Russian official: Papal envoy to return to Moscow after Beijing in peace efforts
After meeting with a Chinese official in Beijing to discuss paths toward peace in Ukraine and ensuring grain exports from the country, Pope Francis’ special envoy is expected to return to Moscow, Russia’s foreign minister said. “The efforts of the Vatican, whose envoy is going to visit once again, are continuing,” Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign…
Sister vows to die before abandoning poor of Tigray
Ireland should be ‘very proud’ of its missionaries – Ethiopian religious An Ethiopian sister awarded by Trócaire for her devotion to the poor has insisted she would rather die than abandon the people of Tigray, a region wracked by ongoing bloody conflict. Sr Medhin Tesfay DC, the regional coordinator for the Daughters of Charity in Tigray,…



Ruadhán Jones







Chai Brady