The former editor of Intercom magazine and priest of the Killala diocese Fr Kevin Hegarty has called for priests to absent themselves from the chrism Masses celebrated in cathedrals during Holy week. Fr Hegarty called on priests who agree with Mary McAleese’s “forensic dissection of misogyny in the Catholic Church” to join the boycott. He…
The majority of The Irish Catholic readers disagree with former Irish president Mary McAleese after almost 500 voiced opposition to statements she made over the weekend. In a poll conducted by this paper on social media about 70% of over 650 people answered ‘no’ to the statement: ‘In a recent RTÉ article, former president Mary…
The Church must speak out in defence of the unborn, Tuam’s archbishop has said, maintaining that the taking of innocent human life is the central issue in the abortion debate. In a pastoral letter to the diocese of Tuam released last weekend, Dr Michael Neary said that every human being has the obligation to respect,…
On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, retired Pope Benedict XVI has defended the continuity of the Church’s teaching under his successor and dismissed those who criticise the Pope’s theological foundations. In a letter sent to Msgr Dario Vigano, prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for Communication, Pope Benedict applauded the publication…
The papal nuncio personally visited Mary McAleese to ensure that a letter to Pope Francis about a decision to bar her from speaking at a Vatican conference was delivered to the Pontiff, the former president has revealed. Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke, Mrs McAleese said the visit had been made on Archbishop Jude…
Sr Karen Kent WMOF Bishop Buckley led the people of Cork & Ross in prayer to welcome the icon when it arrived to our diocese in the Cathedral of Ss Mary and Anne. For this specially prepared liturgy Cllr John Sheehan, representing the Lord Mayor of Cork, and his wife were present along with…
India’s top court has ignited a new religious debate after permitting passive euthanasia, allowing patients to prescribe in their “living will” the withdrawal of medical support if they slip into an irreversible coma. Leaders of India’s Catholics, Muslims and Hindus have opposed the Supreme Court verdict, which says the right to life also includes the right…
Speaking at a presentation of a book on Humanae Vitae, Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Mueller, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stressed that attempts to change the Church’s teaching are “a crime against the Church”. “The current attempt,” he said, “to put in contrast the last three pontificates, with the pretext…
In one of the biggest pro-life demonstrations ever in Ireland, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the capital to call for a ‘No’ vote in the upcoming abortion referendum. Demonstrators of all ages, from across Ireland, marched from Parnell Square to Merrion Square to advocate for the retention of the Eighth…
Contemporary topics about the Irish Church now revolve around questions about our declining priesthood, the efficacy of clergy formation, and the integral role of the laity. Although these discussions often begin and end at the armchair, the newly-appointed Bishop of Ossory is hoping to put his words into real action. Dr Dermot Farrell, who was…
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick