A study suggests that Catholic ethos inspires schools to “go the extra mile” to integrate newly arrived migrant students (NAMS). The study published in the International Journal of Educational Research suggests that the ethos of the founding order of a Catholic school has particular “resonance” in welcoming NAMS. “All participants reference the ethos of the…
The first direct evidence that babies in the womb react differently to different smells and tastes by looking at their facial expressions has been presented by Durham University. Researchers found that babies exposed to carrot flavour showed more “laughter-face” responses while those exposed to the flavour of kale showed more “cry-face” responses. The study took…
Staff reporter The number of Catholic marriages in the North returned to near pre-pandemic levels in 2021, statistics from the Registrar General’s annual report show. Some 2,205 Catholic marriages took place in Northern Ireland in 2021, significantly more than the 844 in 2020 and on par with the 2,216 in 2019. Catholic marriages made up…
Staff reporter Europe has been warned to be “careful” to ensure member states, respect access to abortion following the election of Italy’s likely new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ms Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party won the most votes in Italy’s snap-election on Sunday, with Ms Meloni saying they would “govern for everyone” and wouldn’t betray…
Catholics now make up the largest religious identity in the North, but it’s not translating into people coming to church, a well-known Belfast priest has said. Responding to the findings of the 2021 census, Fr Martin Magill told The Irish Catholic that it shows the challenge of faith formation facing the Church in Ireland. The…
Staff reporter Senator Ronán Mullen launched an Oireachtas essay competition on the theme “Parliamentary Politics Matter” for second-level students in Leinster House, September 22. Speaking at the launch, Senator Mullen warned that Ireland faces a time when “many people are wondering about the quality of our politics and the future of democracy itself”. He hoped…
The director of Irish Jesuits International (IJI) has urged the President of Ireland to “use every platform possible” to highlight the war in Tigray. Fr John Guiney SJ lamented the lack of coverage given to the war in the North of Ethiopia, which has claimed the lives of half a million people since November 2020.…
Staff Reporter The Sisters of Mercy will maintain their presence on the board of trustees of Mary Immaculate College, the sisters have told The Irish Catholic. A spokesperson for the sisters confirmed that the order will continue its almost 125-year involvement in the Catholic third-level institute. It comes as speculations circulated that the sisters, who…
Young people in schools, colleges and universities undertake their studies at a time of much “uncertainty, anxiety and hardship”, the Archbishop of Dublin has said. In a homily given at the opening of the academic year Mass at DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus, Archbishop Dermot Farrell said a good leader, who has a heart open to…
The Northern bishops have warned that an absence of an Executive at Stormont is impeding efforts to respond to the cost of living “emergency” and called on parishes and politicians to do what they can to help. In a statement this week the bishops warned that cost increases are creating “life threatening levels of deprivation”.…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady