Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he believes churches should be reopened once Level 5 restrictions lift on December 1. He expressed the belief that “controlled environments” should be allowed to reopen, arguing that gyms, shops and golf courses should be opened again come December 1 alongside churches. This morning on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Ryan said,…
The Anglo-Celt has reported that a Cavan-based priest was threatened with prosecution after gardaí attended his church last Sunday to check compliance with Covid-19 regulations. While the country remains under Level 5 restrictions, public Masses remain suspended, with the exception of six for a wedding and 25 for a funeral Mass. A priest in Cork was…
EXCLUSIVE Priests in Dublin have expressed fears that the diocese may soon run out of money to pay their modest salaries due to a huge shortfall in collections The Irish Catholic can reveal. This comes on top of a 25% cut in pay back in May in a bid to plug the financial hole exacerbated…
Church leaders in Sligo and the Bishop of Raphoe have mounted pressure on Government by issuing statements calling for public worship to be reinstated. Eighteen Christian leaders, including Bishop Kevin Doran, signed a letter issued by their group ‘Sligo Churches Together’ saying they are “disheartened” that at a time when their Christian community “is most…
A Galway priest has defended his church’s broadcast of Mass through their outdoor speakers after two noise complaints were made to the council. Fr Tadhg Quinn PP of St John the Apostle Church in Knocknacarra said they have been broadcasting the Mass outside the church and online since the last lockdown in March. “We’re getting…
Independent TD Carol Nolan has criticised out at Government secrecy regarding post-abortion care, questioning the absence of a national data collection mechanism. Ms Nolan was frustrated with the Health Minister’s response to a question regarding the number of patients who received post-abortion care in maternity hospitals from January 2019 to present. “It almost beggars belief…
The community of Ballyheigue, Kerry, fear a new telecommunications mast near Our Lady’s well and grotto will take away from its spiritual look. The Ballyheigue holy well attracts upwards of 5,000 people for the annual Pattern Festival held in September. Ballyheigue local Brendan Moriarty said that the move “doesn’t make sense” and says the community…
Knock Shrine want to celebrate the “heart-warming” work being done “under the radar” by local parishioners over the course of lockdown. Nominations are invited from parishes throughout the island of Ireland, with the nomination window closing on December 4. In a statement on the award, Fr Richard Gibbons, rector of Knock Shrine, said the “enormous…
Senator Mullen has voiced opposition to legislation that has come before the Seanad, viewing it as being full of errors and “dangerous to the legitimate freedom of human expression”. The Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020, was initiated on November 6, and seeks to provide that a court may impose the maximum penalty for offences…
GAA legend and devout Catholic Mickey Harte has stepped down as Tyrone senior football manager after 18 years. Although he was “disappointed” not to lead Tyrone for another season after his request was not granted by the Tyrone management committee, he said he had “immense gratitude for having had the privilege of managing Tyrone at…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones