The position of EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion risks becoming “all talk and no substance” without the requisite funding and staffing, a spokesperson for a charity for persecuted Christians said. The statement came after a Brussels based EU bishops’ conference criticised the envoy’s “limited mandate and resources”, but welcomed the appointment of a…
Category: News
Senator Mullen calls for healthcare leaders from ‘Catholic ranks’
Senator Rónán Mullen has said there should be an alternative to “State-run apparatus which insists that everybody kowtow to abortion” when it comes to maternity care in Ireland. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Senator Mullen said it’s a time when you would hope for “healthcare leaders to come forward from within the Catholic ranks to…
Well-known NI priest says North a ‘failed state’
Co. Fermanagh priest Fr Joe McVeigh said now is the right time to be discussing a united Ireland, as recent disagreements over devolution have shown Northern Ireland to be “a failed state”. He also called on the DUP and Sinn Féin to work together for “the sake of the people”, as disagreements over abortion and…
EU founding father declared venerable by Pope Francis
French statesman Robert Schuman, a founder of the European Union, has been declared “venerable” by Pope Francis. Following a meeting last weekend with Cardinal Marcello Semararo, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis advanced the cause for sainthood of Mr Schuman and six others. Robert Schuman was born in Luxembourg…
Church agenda should not be set by secular issues – bishop
The Church cannot be driven by responses to “secular issues” as this allows its agenda to be set by others and not Christ. Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry said in a homily at St Eugene’s Cathedral on Sunday that debates about human rights may be interesting subjects, but “Jesus calls us to cross over and…
Dr Nicola Brady appointed chair of the synodal steering committee
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference have announced the appointment of Dr Nicola Brady as chair of the synodal steering committee, which will help lead the way towards Ireland’s national synod. The bishops said they decided to establish the synodal steering committee and a synodal task group to help move forward the synodal pathway process for Ireland…
New bishop of Ferns clarifies women priests comments after controversy
After Fr Ger Nash appeared to support calls for the ordination of women in an interview with The Clare Champion, he stated that he “fully accepts” that ordination of women “is not in our Church”. In an interview with the The Clare Champion June 18, the bishop-elect of Ferns was asked if he believes women…
‘Disneyland’ magic descends upon Enniskerry
As filming for Disney’s hit Disenchanted gets underway, Fr Bernard Kennedy of Enniskerry said the fantasy setting is “lifting people’s spirits” in his parish. “It’s attracting quite a large turnout of people, particularly over the weekend. It’s like a local Disneyland,” Fr Kennedy told The Irish Catholic. The town has been transformed for shooting of…
As fighting continues in Myanmar, thousands take refuge in churches
Thousands of people have taken refuge in churches and convents as Myanmar’s military continues to fight local resistance forces. Ucanews.com reported Catholic and other Christian churches have become the main refuge for thousands of people forced to flee from their homes during conflict in Kayah, Chin, Kachin and Shan states. Churches and convents have opened…
Fatima film in cinemas across Ireland June 25
Fatima (2020) will be released in cinemas across the island of Ireland and on all digital platforms Friday June 25, after a series of delays due to Covid. The film, about the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917, will be shown in five cinemas in Co. Cork and two in Dublin, as well…

Ruadhán Jones



Chai Brady




