Funding threat compels change The decision of the Church’s marriage agency Accord to offer same-sex couples access to their counselling service is not “sending out the right message” about Church teaching theologians have told The Irish Catholic. A spokesperson for the hierarchy confirmed that Accord is opening its counselling services to same-sex couples “Our…
Chai Brady and Matthew Carlson One of the biggest events for young Catholics in Ireland has been cancelled this year due to low bookings and slow fundraising with volunteers and attendees opting to focus on the World Meeting of Families this August. Although there is some disappointment among organisers, they will now set their sights on the WMOF.…
Matthew Carlson A former Irish international rugby player has been chosen to speak at the Pastoral Conference at the World Meeting of Families this month. Ronan O’Gara played fly-half for several Irish teams and is now the assistant coach of the Canterbury Crusaders in New Zealand. O’Gara will be speaking on the topic of ‘Celebrating…
A religion department in Dublin’s Trinity College will no longer be offering an undergraduate degree in Catholic Theological Studies following significant internal changes between departments within the university. The Loyola Institute, which was established in 2012 following an agreement between Trinity College Dublin and the eight religious congregations associated with the Milltown Institute of Theology…
Parents will continue to “foot the bill” for primary education costs until the sector is properly funded, a Catholic schools association has said as a third of families admitted back to school fees have put them in debt. Despite schools making efforts to keep costs as low as possible for parents, a survey conducted by…
Matthew Carlson The recent drought in Ireland may have revealed a significant archaeological find – what is thought to be the childhood home of St Oliver Plunkett just outside Oldcastle. The hot weather and lack of rain this summer has exposed the outline of a house on what is now the Loughcrew estate with a…
A prominent pro-life group has said that a new president who defends the right to life could be a powerful voice for those who support pro-life initiatives. The comments come after the apparently unofficial launch of a campaign which would see Fianna Fáil councillor Éamon Ó Cuiv running for the presidential election. Spokesperson for the…
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation from the College of Cardinals of Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, and has ordered him to maintain “a life of prayer and penance” until a canonical trial examines accusations that he sexually abused minors. The announcement came first from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and…
Unionists need to take their “heads out of the sand” and accept that a soon-to-be Catholic majority in the North of Ireland will pave the way for a reunification of the island, a prominent Irish priest has said. Fermanagh priest and well-known civil rights activist, Fr Joe McVeigh, said that in accordance with recent census…
Public anger is mounting in China after revelations that major vaccine makers violated safety standards. Thousands of faulty vaccines have been administered to children, eroding public trust in essential services and damaging China’s standing overseas as it tries to become a major player in the pharmaceutical industry. A Catholic doctor told a Catholic news provider the case…
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick