Fiji’s rugby-sevens star Waisea Nacuqu attended a Mass of thanksgiving in his hometown, to thank God for his Olympic gold medal. The Mass was celebrated by Irish Columban Fr Pat Colgan, who said Mr Nacuqu’s successful use of his talents will “inspire others to use their gifts more courageously and consistently”. Fr Colgan also referenced…
Bishop Paul Dempsey has said the founder of the Legion of Mary Frank Duff would be “appalled” by polarisation in the Church and by those who criticise Pope Francis. Speaking at Mass at Knock Shrine on Sunday to mark the centenary of the founding of the Legion, Bishop Dempsey praised Mr Duff for his visionary…
The Irish Catholic bishop’s council for vocations is founding a ‘house of discernment/formation’ in a bid to attract new vocations to the priesthood. Chairman of the council Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan said the house will provide “a group of like-minded people with whom they can really get to the bottom of the discernment process”. “We know…
There has been increased interest in priestly vocations during the pandemic, according to some diocesan vocation directors. Fr Ruairi O’Domhnaill, vocations director in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin told The Irish Catholic that “all of a sudden” there has been “great interest”. “All kinds of people have been getting in contact with me like…
Bishop of Meath Tom Deenihan, reflected on what he described as the “fundamental” influence that the Legion of Mary has had in the Church in Ireland at its centenary celebration at the Cathedral of Christ the King, in Mullingar. The Mass on September 20 was attended by legionaries from branches throughout the Diocese of Meath.…
Just four men started studying for the priesthood for Ireland’s 26 dioceses this autumn, with a further two Neocatechumenal Way students entering that movement’s seminary in Dundalk for the Archdiocese of Armagh. When ordained, Neocatechumenal students traditionally serve for a period in the diocese before being reassigned overseas. A further ten men began a pre-seminary…
The High Court in London rejected a landmark challenge to a UK law allowing abortion up to birth for disability. In its September 23 ruling, the court declared that a law allowing abortion up to birth for disability was not discriminatory. The challenge was brought by Heidi Crowter, a woman with Down syndrome, and Máire…
Spanish Church leaders are urging prayers and donations for residents of the Canary Islands, after earthquakes and a volcanic eruption devastated parts of the Atlantic island chain. “We welcome the public administration’s speed in ensuring the safety of all those affected and caring for those with greatest vulnerability,” said a September 22 statement from the…
The sisters were praised for embodying the mission of welcome and care, at a thanksgiving Mass held September 19. The Marist sisters are leaving the parish of St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast, where they had ministered since 1986, invited by then-Bishop Cahal Daly. The first sisters moved in to the parish and lived in the flats…
Catholic lay organisations took to the streets of downtown Fulda under the motto “We remain loud” to express their dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church, on the final day of the German bishops’ annual fall plenary assembly. On September 23, Catholics demonstrated in front of the 18th-century palace where the bishops met and marched to demand…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady