Colm Fitzpatrick and Susan Gately Knock Marriage Introductions was a service of its time, and “has served its time”, according to director Fr Stephen Farragher. The priest from the Tuam archdiocese who took over as director two years ago announced the closure of the service which brought about 960 weddings in its 51-year history. Speaking to The…
After a call for help by a priest, a homeless family in Tipperary have praised parishioners for the “great support” and offers of accommodation they have received. Fr Michael Toomey of Clonmel issued the plea at Mass over the weekend and received the first offer of a possible house within the hour. The priest stated…
People must consider the implications of the divorce referendum which seeks to speed up the dissolution of marriage, according to the Catholic bishops. “Marriage is essential and fundamental for the good of society worldwide,” said Bishop Denis Nulty, chair of the Council for Marriage & Family. “The objective of the proposed referendum is not to…
Facebook has admitted making a “mistake” when it applied a “ridiculous” warning screen over an image of a foetus in the womb at 11-weeks. The computer-generated image of the baby beside the words ‘Still one of us’ was being used as part of an Iona Institute online and billboard campaign. It was initially restricted by…
Pope Francis has said that each bishop has a duty to have a strong, close relationship with his priests with a firm warning that episcopal aloofness and favouritism weakens the mission of the Church. “The relationship between us bishops and our priests is, unquestionably, one of the most vital issues in the life of the…
Pro-life campaigners have said families should not be “rushed into” having an abortion after an initial diagnosis of a severe abnormality. This comes after it was revealed last week that a couple aborted a baby that was misdiagnosed in the National Maternity Hospital. The couple said they were told by hospital staff that there was…
Catholic leaders in Burkina Faso appealed for unity and solidarity after two attacks on Catholics in two days left 10 laypeople and a priest dead. “We have been working together for years – Muslims, Protestants, Catholics and followers of traditional religions, always walking hand in hand,” said Archbishop Seraphin Rouamba of Koupela. “In view of…
A new push for families to be more involved in the sacramental preparation of their children is a “wake-up call” for parents who are apathetic to the Faith. Fr Gerry Kane of Booterstown told this newspaper that parents shouldn’t be relying on schools to prepare their children for the Sacraments, noting that this process should…
A Fermanagh-based priest has launched a ground-breaking report into the death of his cousin, decades after he was killed by the RUC. Michael Leonard, the cousin of Fr Joe McVeigh of St Michael’s parish, was shot by the police on May 17, 1973 while driving. He was 24-years-old, a farmer and cattle-dealer, living in Donegal.…
The office for Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life announced the theme Pope Francis has chosen for the next World Meeting of Families, which will be in Rome June 23-27, 2021– it is: ‘Family love: A vocation and a path to holiness’. The dicastery asked that in preparation for the meeting, families and…
Chai Brady
Susan Gately
Colm Fitzpatrick