“Awareness of technological innovation and change can make us alert to cultural and social change”, writes Mary Kenny It is well known that the greatest political changes often occur through ‘events’, rather than through the carefully-laid plans and projects of politicians. And perhaps the biggest changes to our social and cultural lives often occur through…
Month: May 2017
Sr Stan receives ‘Social Justice Hero’ award
The DIT student volunteering committee has presented Sr Stan Kennedy with its inaugural ‘Social Justice Hero’ award, in recognition of her work supporting Ireland’s most vulnerable, at the launch of a new website Studentvolunteer.ie/DIT: Ciarán Freeman (Student Volunteering Chairperson), Sr Stan Kennedy with her Social Justice Hero award and Emmet Jordan-Kelly (DIT Student Volunteering Development…
Curial training event was ‘excellent’ – Marie Collins
Staff Reporter Marie Collins’ first training event for Vatican officials since her resignation from Pope Francis’ child protection commission was “encouraging” and “very positive”, the leading advocate has said. Mrs Collins announced her resignation in February from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, citing frustration with obstructive curial officials. Despite this, she joined…
Safeguarding chief welcomes fast Vatican abuse case handling
The Vatican department that tackles the cases of priests accused of abuse has accelerated its handling of such cases, the head of Ireland’s child protection board has said. Teresa Devlin, CEO of the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC), told The Irish Catholic that she believed the development was…
Uniform plans ‘micro-management’
Government demands that schools reduce uniform costs to ease parents’ financial pressures have been criticised as reactive and unacceptable micro-management by the president of the body which represents faith-based schools in Ireland. Speaking at the AMCSS/JMB annual general meeting in Killarney, Fr Paul Connell said the planned changes would do “little or nothing to reduce…
‘Suicide is not the way’ – Priest’s plea to youth
A Co. Tyrone priest has given his phone number out from the church altar at a teenagers’ funeral, in a direct appeal to young people in need to seek help. Fr Daniel McFaul told mourners at St Mary’s Church in Killyclogher that Elle Trowbridge was “a young and beautiful lady…who was caught in the live…
Britain’s Got Talent judges wowed by St Patrick’s school choir
The principal of the Co. Down primary school whose choir got a standing ovation from the judges on Britain’s Got Talent at the weekend, has said the school is “overawed by the reaction that the children received”. Mrs Sorcha Lyness told The Irish Catholic that “to see everyone on their feet was just phenomenal and…
First church soup kitchen opens in the North
Fr Dominic McGrattan, in the background, serves food at St Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street in Belfast after a Mass of Hope for the city’s homeless community. A soup kitchen will operate at the church every Friday and Saturday night from 7-11pm. Photo: The Irish News
Politicians call on Govt to declare ISIS atrocities against Christians genocide
A group of 22 TDs and Senators has called on the Government to recognise as genocide ISIS’s persecution of minority communities including Iraqi and Syrian Christians and Yazidis. In a letter drafted by The Iona Institute, Aid to the Church in Need and Church in Chains, the politicians urge the Minister for Foreign Affairs and…
First major move to tackle vocations crisis announced
Church leaders will this month open a new national office dedicated exclusively to promoting vocations to priesthood as the shortage of priests continues to bite and some dioceses are no longer able to staff parishes. Bishop Phonsie Cullinan admitted that the Irish Church is playing ‘catch up’, telling The Irish Catholic that Ireland is “behind…