Wellbeing programmes in Faith schools could do more to help protect students from mental health issues, a leading Irish theologian has said. Tuam-based priest Prof. Eamonn Conway and Dr Kerry Greer of Limerick’s Mary Immaculate College have said that emerging resilience programmes in Irish schools lack a scientific basis, and that the notion of Christian…
Those guilty of the shooting of 10 innocent people in Ballymurphy showed “sneering contempt” and “lack of repentance” according to the parish priest at a memorial service. Relatives and friends of the victims held a candlelit vigil in memory of their loved ones who were killed in West Belfast in 1971. The Ballymurphy shootings occurred…
While Christmas is usually a time most of us look forward to, social justice campaigner Fr Peter McVerry said homeless people dread the festive season. Speaking to the paper as the trust launched its 2017 annual report, Fr McVerry said that Christmas is the most “depressing day of the year” for homeless people as they…
The Catholic Church has been slow to recognise the presence of homosexual men in the priesthood, which is why superiors must exercise care in helping gay candidates prepare for a life of celibacy or leave the seminary, Pope Francis said. “Homosexuality is a very serious matter, which must be discerned adequately from the beginning with…
Parishes can be a “shining example” to the community if they become actively involved in tackling climate change, according to a parish pastoral worker for the Archdiocese of Dublin. Speaking from the Czech Republic while on pilgrimage to Poland Jane Mellett said she believes the Church can be a “leading voice” on the issue of…
Organisers of Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland frightened people away from attending the papal Mass in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, according to former Tánaiste Joan Burton. Speaking at an Oireachtas committee the Labour TD said organisers “scared most older people in Ireland into thinking that they could not do a two-mile walk”. “Those in charge of…
The AIDS Office director of the South African bishops has said significant progress is being made in the AIDS response in South Africa. On the 30th World AIDS Day anniversary on Saturday, December 1, Mrudula Smithson who works for the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACB) said: “South Africa has the largest ARV programme in…
A member of the Sisters of Mercy has been presented with a Presidential Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her development and humanitarian work amongst the poor and marginalised in Kenya at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin. Hailing from Dublin, Phisbsboro, Sr Mary Killeen received the award last week. Her missionary work in Africa began…
The decision by the publishing wing of the Irish Church to close three retail outlets by the end of next month is a strategic move coming against the background of a positive year, the company’s director has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Veritas Director Aidan Chester said the decision to close the shops in…
Chilean president Sebastián Piñera signed into law a bill permitting people aged 14 or older to change their name and gender in the civil registry. The law defines gender identity as “the personal or internal conviction of being a man or woman, in the person’s self-perception, which may or may not correspond with the sex…
Colm Fitzpatrick
Chai Brady