The next budget may include a measure that will increase the amount of monthly Child Benefit paid to mothers for a third or subsequent child. This would be a response to falling birth rates in the country. The fertility rate has now fallen to 1.5 children per couple, well below the replacement level of 2.1.…
Philip McMahon OFM was ordained to the priesthood last Sunday by Bishop Tom Deenihan at St Mary’s Church, Navan, surrounded by family, friars, local clergy, and parishioners. Formerly a Tesco employee in Navan for 12 years, Fr McMahon began to discern he had a vocation during his two years travelling in Australia, where he reconnected…
“There are more men enquiring about priesthood”, according to Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore, who also serves as chair of the Council for Vocations of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. He was speaking ahead of the annual ‘Come and See’ inquiry-day for men discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood which will take…
The 19th edition of Ireland’s largest annual pro-life march, Rally for Life, will take place on July 5 in Dublin. The event organised by the Life Institute gathers thousands in the city centre each year. The route this year will finish at Custom House Quay. Beginning at Parnell Square at 2pm, the march will proceed…
US theologian Prof. Massimo Faggioli, who has recently been appointed professor at Trinity College, has warned against Donald Trump’s use of religious language and how it “trivialises wars as divine missions.” “With the religious language that is being used, the relevant doctrine of war is no longer the classic ‘just war’, but that of a…
By Marion Hausmann and Renata Steffens Two major Eucharistic processions took place last weekend in Ireland, with one in Cork City continuing a 99-year tradition, and one in Clonmel taking place for the first time in 35 years. The procession in Cork saw thousands of people line the streets. The first one took place…
Pilgrims attending this year’s National Pilgrimage for Life in Knock were urged to “promote a culture of life”. The call came from the Bishop of Kilmore, Martin Hayes, who led the pilgrimage. The event took place last weekend and was attended by thousands. The bishop said that “as a people of life and for life”,…
The Diocese of Limerick has announced a series of clerical appointments for 2025, with Bishop Brendan Leahy outlining what he described as a “trinity of positive change” in response to the continuing decline in vocations to the priesthood in Ireland. The threefold strategy includes promoting vocations among Irish young people, welcoming priests from other countries…
Trócaire’s CEO Caoimhe de Barra is leaving 25 years after joining the organisation, in which she was Chief Executive Officer for seven years. Ms de Barra will now take up a new role with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). “The decision to leave Trócaire was not an easy one but after some consideration I felt the time…
By Marion Hausmann Ireland was reconsecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus last Sunday by Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh during Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady Queen of Ireland in Knock. Pope Leo XIV sent his blessings from the Vatican, praying, “that this solemn occasion will provide a grace-filled opportunity for all…
Chai Brady
Renata Steffens