The decision by Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick to reject a course in Christian ethics has been dubbed “deeply regrettable” by outgoing Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath. A programme was developed and submitted to the college authorities after academics in MIC were approached by hospital chaplains who asked for professional training to deal with difficult…
The religious way of life could disappear in the Diocese of Ossory within a generation if “radical action” is taken according to the Bishop Dermot Farrell. In a homily for the World Day of Consecrated life on Sunday, Bishop Farrell told the congregation in St Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny that “bold decisions must be taken…
A clergyman has stressed that Christians must take an active role in the country’s future if they want a unified, multi-religious Iraq. Archbishop Bashar Warda of the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil made the plea during a discussion of the country’s future with a US congressman. This follows months of protests against Iraqi government corruption and…
A French cardinal says he will ask Pope Francis to allow him to resign, despite an appeal court judgment overturning his suspended jail sentence for failing to report abuse. Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon was speaking after last week’s court ruling which quashed the prison term, imposed in March 2019 for failing to report accusations…
A veteran religious writer has applied for Irish citizenship after renouncing his UK citizenship this week in protest at Britain leaving the European Union (EU). Scotland born John Cooney holds the distinction of being the only journalist who has been the Religious Affairs Correspondent of the Irish Times and the Irish Independent. His books include…
Fourty-two Christians accused of lynching two Muslim youths in the aftermath of the terror attack on two churches in Pakistan have been acquitted. The twin suicide bombings took place at Christ Church and St John’s Catholic Church in Lahore on March 15, 2015 which killed at least 14 and injured several others. After the attack,…
St Kevin’s Church in Dublin celebrated the beginning of its life as an Oratory at the weekend, more than 160 years after St John Henry Newman wanted to found one in the capital. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has given his approval on a trial basis which is expected to last for three years and celebrations marked…
Uruguayan priest named the Pope’s new Personal Secretary Fr Gonzalo Aemilius has been elected as Pope Francis’ new Special Secretary, filling the void left by Father Fabian Pedacchio in December. The clergyman from Montevideo, Uruguay has been known to the Pope since 2006 when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, endorsed him for…
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has opened a recruitment campaign this week which bids to increase its number of Catholic officers. The PSNI is looking for 600 trainees to reach full complement and address the under-representation of Catholics in the force. At present only 32% of the 6,848 police officers in Northern Ireland…
The Carmelite sisters in Loughrea, Co. Galway are set to leave the town after a presence of over 300 years. Like many other religious communities, the sisters have struggled to attract new vocations in recent years and the age prpfile of the sisters is older. As a result, their prayerful presence in the community will…
Chai Brady