Safeguard the world God created, Vatican asks Muslims The Vatican’s annual message to Muslims at the end of Ramadan called on both Christians and Muslims to protect God’s creation. “Our vocation to be guardians of God’s handiwork is not optional, nor is it tangential to our religious commitment as Christians and Muslims: it is an…
Category: News
Reds Limerick novena ‘on the buses’
Rector Fr Seamus Enright pictured at the launch of the Limerick Novena outside the Mount St Alphonsus Redemptorist church in Limerick, with a special Bus Ėireann bus advertising the solemn novena in honour of Our Mother of Perpetual Help from June 16-24. Photo: Brian Gavin/Press 22
News in Brief
Meath composer writes hymn for papal visit A musician from the Diocese of Meath has been selected to write the lead hymn for the World Meeting of Families. Entitled ‘A Joy for all the World’, the hymn was composed by Ephrem Feeley, one of Ireland’s most established composers of liturgical music, with over 200 pieces…
Columbans criticise President Trump on climate u-turn
The Superior General of the Missionary Society of St Columban has criticised the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement as “jeopardising” global efforts to prevent the destruction of the planet. Fr Kevin O’Neill SSC said the Columbans “stand against policies that negatively affect the communities we serve, our common home, and in particular the…
“Greater family rejection” for some Christians
Christians are finding it increasingly difficult to share their faith in the workplace and even among family, according to the newly appointed Presbyterian Moderator. Rev. Dr Noble McNeely was officially installed as the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland (PCI) at a general assembly on Tuesday in Belfast. He told the congregation that…
A right to work would help ‘restore dignity’ to refugees
An historic ruling by the Supreme Court against the prohibition on a right to work for asylum seekers has been welcomed as an opportunity to restore the dignity of those living in direct provision. Stephen Ng’ang’a, the coordinator of Core Group of Asylum Seekers, told The Irish Catholic the right to work would mean “asylum…
Two new permanent deacons for Dromore
The number of permanent deacons serving in the Diocese of Dromore has increased to five following the ordination of John McClelland (Newry) and Deacon Michael Rooney (Ballela) at the Cathedral of Ss Patrick & Colman in Newry on Sunday by Bishop John McAreavey. Also pictured: Canon Francis Brown, Adm. Newry Cathedral and Rev. Deacon Frank…
Abandoned by the State
Priest calls on Pope Francis to visit direct provision centre in Ireland Pope Francis has been called on to visit a direct provision centre during his expected visit to Ireland next year, in order to highlight the treatment of asylum seekers. Fr Paddy Byrne, a curate in Portlaoise parish who ministers to the residents of…
Pope Francis condemns brutal attack on Egyptian Christians
The Pope has dubbed the latest attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt as “another act of ferocious violence”. The most recent religious terror attack in the country left 29 dead and about 25 wounded when a bus taking the Christians to a remote monastery was fired upon. The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the…
Five Maynooth students ordained deacons
Five students from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth – Kevin Connolly (Meath), Anthony McAleese, (Down & Connor), Gerard Quirke (Tuam), Dominic Binh Nguyen SDB (Salesian) and Paul Binh Tran SDB (Salesian) – were ordained deacons at the weekend in a ceremony led by Archbishop Michael Neary.


Courtney McGrail
Mags Gargan
Chai Brady


