An Irish senator has hit out at critics who use Protestants as an excuse to get rid of the Angelus. David Norris spoke in a Seanad meeting last week saying that he strongly rejects claims that Protestants want to do away with the Angelus, dubbing it “political correctness gone mad”. “Protestants are used as a…

The Angelus aired in its current form has been described as “hogwash” and that it should be “more Christian”. Senator David Norris blasted the Angelus broadcast, which was revamped in 2009, as being disaffected of any Christian meaning. He added that some of the images equated to “old fellas doodling”. However Roger Childs, the Head…

Ireland’s 2013 children’s rights referendum looks in hindsight like an exercise in “making ourselves feel good”, a leading priest has said. Commenting on Dr Geoffrey Shannon’s audit of child protection procedures in An Garda Síochána, which revealed grave shortcomings in child protection across State agencies, Redemptorist Fr Gerry O’Connor, a member of the Association of…

Misean Cara, the charity that processes the funding for Irish missionary organisations, has launched a new strategy setting out the priorities to ensure the future of the Irish missionary approach to development. The new five-year plan focuses on key areas of education, healthcare, sustainable development and human rights. The strategy is based on a global…

Catholic bishops in Northern Ireland have called on citizens to vote in the upcoming election, asking them not to feel “alienated and disheartened”. Recent instability in Stormont was cited as diminishing trust and confidence in the political process, especially among young people. The bishops, including Archbishop Eamon Martin, Bishop John McAreavey and Bishop Noel Treanor,…

Organisers have issued an appeal for at least 3,000 volunteers to assist with the planning and organising of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) and expected papal visit to Dublin next year. More than 1,500 people have expressed an interest in helping, but twice that number is needed to form part of the operational team…

Staff reporter A social media campaign by the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin asking for suggestions for the 2017 parish Christmas gift has been an “outstanding success”. Bishop Denis Nulty, who made the appeal in a video, told The Irish Catholic it was the first time the diocese had tried “this way of engaging with…