Pope Francis appeals for countries to achieve net zero carbon emissions Pope Francis and various religious leaders from across the world appealed last Monday for countries to “achieve net zero carbon emissions as soon as possible”. The plea was made on October 4 in a joint message signed in the Vatican’s Hall of Benediction. The…
Category: News
In brief
Cardinal hospitalised with Covid after attending Eucharistic Congress Cardinal and President of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe, Angelo Bagnasco, has been hospitalised with Covid after travelling to the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest. The cardinal, 78, had been fully vaccinated since May. He tested positive for Covid upon his return to Italy…
Budget 2022 receives mixed response from charities
Ireland’s Budget 2022 was hailed as “a step in the right direction” by some Irish charities, but others criticised it as being a “missed opportunity”.
Bishops plan pilgrimage to Knock in memory of those who died during pandemic
The bishops of Ireland plan to undertake a pilgrimage to the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in Knock to concelebrate Mass for all those who have died in Ireland throughout the pandemic, and their families. The bishops will also offer prayers of thanksgiving “for all those who so selflessly sacrificed so much” during the pandemic.…
Missionary pleads for vaccine unity
‘I wouldn’t want any other parent to feel the way I did’ A well-known lay missionary who was dramatically hospitalised with Covid-19 has appealed for Catholics to set aside divisions over vaccines and stand with the Pope. Speaking from his hospital bed, Tony Foy, Executive Director of NET Ministries Ireland admitted that looking into his…
Irish synod should not ‘water down’ teaching to cater to elite classes
Many people who seek to change Church teaching are “upper class and highly educated” and Ireland’s national synod must focus on bringing them back to the Church rather than “watering down” the Gospel, according to an Irish priest in Australia. Australia entered into its ‘Plenary Council’ process on Sunday – a process similar to a…
Challenge launched against NI secretary’s abortion powers
Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis’ “unprecedented” power to impose abortion “must be scrapped”, a pro-life organisation has said. Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life made her comments as a legal challenge to Mr Lewis’ powers was launched in the North’s high court this week by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). The case…
Parish unveils bench for ‘precious’ centenarian
Cooley parish celebrated Madge Boyle’s 100th birthday by unveiling a park bench across the road from the house she was born in. Fr Malachy Conlon PP Cooley parish, Co. Louth, described Ms Boyle as “a precious light in our community”. Born September 12, 1921, Ms Boyle and her late husband Mike had nine children, 25…
Newry parishioners annoyed by ‘disastrous’ council plans
Plans that would remove Newry Cathedral’s parking have annoyed parishioners, with a recent survey showing 72% oppose the move. Fr Francis Brown, the Co. Down cathedral’s administrator, warned that the plans to build a civic centre in the cathedral’s parking area would be “disastrous”. “It means there would be no parking next to the cathedral,…
‘Safe zone’ move described as attempt to criminalise protest
Pro-life politicians have decried the launch of a bill that would introduce so-called ‘safe access zones’ outside hospitals and clinics providing abortion, arguing that it’s the attempted “criminalisation of peaceful pro-life speech and protest”. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Laois-Offaly TD Carol Nolan said the bill is “nothing short of an ideological wrecking ball”.…


Ruadhán Jones


Chai Brady



