Bishop of Cloyne William Crean has announced a fresh round of clerical appointments as the vocations crisis continues to bite. Two priests of the diocese will retire later this month, Canon Jackie Corkery of Kanturk and Fr Michael Dorgan of Castlemagner. Bishop Crean has announced that Fr Tobias Bluitt, PP Doneraile is to take on…
It’s not resourcing that’s the real issue in parishes, but a need to recognise that all those baptised have a “right and responsibility” to use their gifts, according to a psychotherapist and lecturer in pastoral ministry and liturgy. Mrs Jane Ferguson, who will deliver a four week course on pastoral leadership in March, said rather…
Children at a Dublin school are delighted with an innovative hot school meals scheme being road-tested ahead of a wider pilot scheme, according to school authorities. “The children are loving the food,” Tonya Hanly, principal of Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Goldenbridge, told The Irish Catholic. “Certainly the children are benefitting and there…
US Catholic priests are feeling the pinch as many say they have experienced a drop in Church collections after several sex abuse reports and scandals levelled at high ranking prelates in the country have affected parishioners’ willingness to donate. A priest from the Annunciation Church in Brazil, Indiana, has said he noticed “a pretty sharp…
A broad swath of the US Midwest experienced a deep freeze during last week with historic low temperatures impacting daily routines. The Arctic blast forced the cancellation of flights, stopped mail delivery in several states, caused power outages and closed businesses, restaurants, schools and government offices with temperatures as low as -37°C. Catholic schools, in…
A Dublin parish is excited for the re-opening of their church, especially since it has been announced they will be given the altar and ambo used for the papal Mass during the World Meeting of Families last summer. St Joseph the Artisan church, in Bonnybrook parish, will welcome Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin on March…
Accused priest tries to stop trial A priest accused of indecently assaulting a young girl over 40 years ago has launched a High Court action aimed at stopping his criminal trial from going ahead. The accused denies a charge that he indecently assaulted the girl in the mid-1970s at her home while watching a film…
Junno Arocho Esteves Pope Francis said his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, while brief, was a new page in relations between Christians and Muslims at a time when conflict and violence threaten the goal of lasting peace. Recalling his February 3-5 visit to Abu Dhabi, the Pope said during his weekly general…
Colm Fitzpatrick and Chai Brady Tributes are pouring in after a Laois-based priest died yesterday in a “tragic accident” involving his car. Fr John Cummins (52) of Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, died after an incident at his home on the Ballinakill Road yesterday at around 4.30pm. It is understood that no else was injured in…
Parishes and comunities need to take responsibility for tackling the country’s housing crisis, leading homelessness campaigners have said, calling for pressure to create political will around the issue. “Trying to get people out of homelessness while others are coming into it is like trying to empty bathwater with the taps full on,” Fr Peter McVerry…
Chai Brady
Greg Daly