Dublin now has the lowest percentage of Catholics in the Republic, according to census data released this week. The Central Statistics Office revealed that just over half – 53% – of Dubliners ticked the ‘Catholic’ box in the 2022 census of population. Overall, the figures reveal that just 69% of Irish people now describe themselves…
The iconic Angelus bell will remain on RTÉ as the broadcaster gears up to unveil a new-look Angelus this week. The launch of the new set of reflective films in RTÉ One’s Angelus slots takes place today, June 1 at 6pm. The six films will run year-round except on Advent and Christmas when there will be two…
Leaders of a university teachers’ union are to raise concerns with Mary Immaculate College (MIC) authorities after this newspaper revealed that staff feel they are being kept “in the dark” over a historic alignment process with another college. A spokesperson for the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) said the body “intend to discuss the…
People not expecting to pay a donation for Baptisms and weddings is “not fair” on parishioners who regularly support their local church, priests have said. It is “common sense” that parish churches need financial assistance to survive, said Fr Michael Toomey, saying people forget “you have to heat and light and insure the church”. Parishioners…
Despite “understandable” concerns about housing and homelessness Irish people are still welcoming to asylum seekers particularly when meeting them face to face, a Wicklow-based priest has insisted. Fr Donal Roche PP of Wicklow, Kilbride and Barndarrig told The Irish Catholic a large number of asylum seekers are now living in Wicklow Town but he has…
An Irish missionary who educates Syrian refugees in his school in Tyre has described the failure of Lebanese officials to renew his residency permit for months as “cruel” and called on the Irish Government to intervene. The process requires Rosminian priest Fr William Stuart to submit his passport to ‘General Security’, which means he can’t…
The Irish bishops’ conference has released new sexual education resources to help teachers present Catholic teaching on RSE in secondary schools. The move comes after the Minster for Education signed off on a controversial new curriculum for social, personal and health education (SPHE), which includes relationship and sexual education (RSE). A final draft of the…
The Government has to learn from the protests in Inch, Co. Clare, regarding housing of refugees in the area, Bishop Fintan Monahan has said. Bishop Monahan visited the town and met with protestors and refugees after controversy erupted over a barricade that blocked refugees from being housed in a former hotel. He said there’s learning…
Award-winning Christian artist Victoria Johnston launched her debut album in Golden Discs, Dundrum, with Minister for State Neale Richmond in attendance. Minister Richmond praised the Grammy-nominated singer at the launch, saying its “super to have such amazing talent in our area” and describing her album as “beautiful”. The album, ‘Where the Lights Glow’, includes Ms…
“Polemic and superficial” communications are “particularly worrying” when it comes from Church leadership, including bishops, pastors, and prominent lay leaders,” the Vatican has said in a new pastoral message. In the 20-page pastoral message about the use of social media, the Vatican continued: “These not only cause division in the community but also give permission…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones