Being a Christian is about more than just being nice to people, it means “loving and trusting a God who we cannot see”, according to the Bishop of Derry. In a homily at the weekend reflecting on the messages of Fatima, Bishop Donal McKeown said following Jesus is not just about “doing the right things…

With the national seminary at Maynooth due to re-open for this year’s formation programme this weekend, a key conference organised for the autumn is being seen by observers as a way of helping to show a proactive approach to reform. This summer saw the appointment of Fr Michael Mullaney for a shortened three-year term as…

Ireland’s top theology courses continue to be attractive to students as CAO points drop for the majority of level-8 degrees. Points for Theology and Arts in St Patrick’s College Maynooth remain much the same, rising by just one point to 301 compared to last year. The course allows students to study Theology along with another…

Staff Reporter The fifth annual Ballymena roundtable gathering on faith will this year address the issue of the family in preparation for next year’s WMOF in Dublin. Held annually on a topical issue related to the intersection between faith and family life, the event has emerged as a key local invitative in Church renewal. Due to…

The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin will welcome its first Romanian priest at the end of this month, who has answered the call from Bishop Denis Nulty to help resolve the problem of the shortage of priests in Ireland. Fr Eugen Dragmos Tamas (28) from the Diocese of Iasi was ordained a priest in June…

A woman experienced in communications on a parish, diocesan and national level has been appointed Media and Communications Manager for the World Meeting of Families (WMOF). Ms Brenda Drumm (48), a native of Belturbet, Co. Cavan and based in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, has been seconded from her current role as Communications Officer with the Catholic…

Bishops issue guidelines for priests with children New guidelines for priests who become a father issued by the Irish Bishops’ Conference, place a priority on the wellbeing of the child. The guidelines say the priest “should face up to his responsibilities – legal, moral and financial. At a minimum, no priest should walk away from…

The Catholic and Church of Ireland parishes of Clontarf, Dublin have come together to host a number of events to promote peace in a time of “conflict, war and terrorism”. A peace tree ceremony supported by Dublin City Council in St Anne’s Park, Clontarf on Friday, September 29 will launch a series of church-based peace…

The leaders of the Christian churches in Derry are preparing to put on their running shoes and cycling helmets as part of the Tour de Foyle Charity Challenge event this weekend. The event is aiming to help people in the community who are experiencing difficult times in their lives, and working with the help of…