Archbishop attacks healthcare system
The Archbishop of Dublin has criticised the country’s healthcare system as being “one of the darkest shadows” hanging over a wealthy Ireland.
At a conference to mark World Day of the Sick in Sutton, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin attacked the bureaucratic failures of the HSE and warned that the “system itself is sick and in need of healing”.
He paid tribute to “extraordinarily dedicated” doctors, nurses and carers, and said society has a responsibility to ensure that they do not leave Ireland through “sheer frustration or our lack of interest or recognition of the contribution they bring”.
Missionary to receive peace award
Irish Columban missionary, Fr Shay Cullen is to receive a justice and peace award from a German university for his work in defending human rights through the Preda Foundation in the Philippines.
The AK Shalom Award by the working group Shalom – For Justice and Peace at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Germany was initiated by a group of theology students at the university, has been awarded annually since 1982 for extraordinary commitment in the field of peace and human rights.
Belfast church to become restaurant
It has been reported that a landmark church in Belfast is due to be transformed into a restaurant.
The Holy Rosary Church on the Ormeau Road has lain empty for almost four decades, when it became too small for the expanding congregation of the parish during the 1980s.
A spokesman for Down and Connor diocese said it had not owned the building for a number of years and was unaware of the sale.
Limerick priest ‘shaken’ by break-in
A Limerick priest who was locked into a room at his home by three intruders has thanked parishioners for their support.
Canon Tony O’Keeffe of Shanagolden was threatened by three thieves when he returned to his parochial house after celebrating evening Mass in Foynes.
The men escaped with a quantity of cash and while the 72-year-old priest was not injured during the burglary, he said that he was still “a bit shaken”.
“I’m enormously grateful to people for their kindness and generosity and interest for my welfare,” Canon O’Keeffe said.