Priests and other parish workers should make time for parishioners, rather than erecting barriers, Pope Francis has warned. He said deacons, in particular, are called to be servants who set aside their own self-serving plans and are generous with their lives. A servant “is not a slave to his own agenda” but rather is always…
“Smaller countries are aware of the difficulties that come from being isolated”, writes Martin Mansergh
The National Vocations Coordinator has hailed the “amazing” response he received to a pilot programme which consulted young people about the best way to promote vocations to the priesthood. Fr Willie Purcell, based in the Diocese of Ossory, consulted with three groups of young people over recent weeks – a secondary school group, those involved…
The Church has signalled strong opposition to attempts by the North’s new DUP Education Minister to roll back on education reforms that have sought to remove academic selection for 10-year-olds. The contentious tests – once known as the 11+ – are used by some grammar schools to decide whether or not to admit students. The…
Lynn Kelly, Ella Anderson, Eabha Connor, Rosie Phipps O’Neill and Ella Kennedy pictured after their Confirmation ceremony in St Mochta’s Church, Porterstown in Dublin 15 last week.
“No amount of depravation or social exclusion ever justifies the resort to criminality”, writes Editor Michael Kelly
The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice has called on the Government to create a new facility specifically and exclusively to detain young adults in order to ensure their humane treatment. A report launched on Tuesday, ‘Developing Inside: Transforming Prison for Young Adults’, recommends that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, be…
Staff reporter Manchester United has turned to a man of faith to help revive the club’s flagging fortunes in hiring José Mourinho as its new manager. The former Chelsea boss, who is a Catholic, has previously spoken about his prayer life, revealing his firm faith in God. The father-of-two, dubbed the ‘special one’ by adoring fans,…
The man who presided over a surge in vocations for the Dominican order here has warned that many potential candidates for the priesthood are being cast aside because they don’t fit a particular mould. Fr Gerard Dunne OP, who was the Director of Vocations for the Irish Dominicans from 2000-2014, told The Irish Catholic that…
An Irish priest who was part of the commission that advised Pope John Paul II on the possibility of women deacons in 2002 has welcomed Pope Francis’ call for further study on the issue. Fr Tom Norris, who previously served as a member of the International Theological Commission, said the issue of women deacons “needs…
Dr Martin Mansergh
Mags Gargan
Courtney McGrail
Michael Kelly
Cathal Barry