Last year it seemed like everything was cancelled with Covid Restrictions, including the famous Moving Crib event at St Martin Apostolate, located at 42 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. For the first time in their sixty – four years of opening, their doors were forced to close on Christmas Eve for the remainder of the festive…
Labour’s education spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin was greeted with sustained applause after he shouted “let’s get them out” in relation to parish-owned Catholic schools. He made the call at the party’s annual conference at the weekend. He said that the practice of religious patronage of schools needed to be ended, adding: “If that requires a referendum we should do it…
The role of women in the Archdiocese of Dublin must be addressed to ensure full participation as many express a “sense of marginalisation”, according to a report from an archdiocesan taskforce. The report, called ‘Building Hope’, aims to map out the development of the archdiocese’s pastoral plan. The taskforce began its work six months ago…
The Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious Ireland (AMRI) is engaged in “ongoing dialogue” with the Department of Justice over issues regarding the Minister of Religion visa. Justice A working group was established by AMRI to dialogue with the Department of Justice “over the difficulties associated with acquiring Minister of Religion visas, and this…
The Bishop of Derry warned that a private member’s bill calling for integrated education in the North is a “very narrow piece of legislation”. Bishop Donal McKeown was speaking as the Stormont education committee took views on the proposed legislation by Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong. Currently there is legislation which obliges the Department of Education…
The funeral of the last remaining founding member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and civil rights activist, Austin Currie, evoked poignant tributes from many who have benefitted from his tireless campaigning for civil rights in Northern Ireland. Speaking during one of two funeral Masses held for Mr Currie, chief celebrant Fr Dean Kevin…
Dara Ó Briain is surely one of the most successful of Irish comedians, mostly living and working in Britain, though currently on tour in Ireland. He’s the genial but sharp host of the hugely engaging Mock the Week satirical programme on BBC. Dara is also an award-winning debater and a brilliant mathematician who has partnered…
Nearly 20% of Irish women changed their minds about getting an abortion in 2020, according to HSE figures obtained by Laois-Offaly TD Carol Nolan. There were 6,455 abortions in Ireland in the first trimester of pregnancy in 2020, but 8,057 women had an initial consultation with a doctor about receiving an abortion. This has been…
Recently, I came across the beautiful Litany of Trust for the first time. It was written by Sr Faustina Maria Pia Bianchi S.V., a member of the Sisters Of Life, an order founded by Cardinal John O’Connor in 1991 to uphold a culture of life. This modern-day Sr Faustina was given the name at Baptism,…
Covid-19 may have struck “at the very heart” of the Church’s outreach and ministry to the sick, the dying and the bereaved, but it “could not, and did not, and will not destroy” the hope and belief that God is with those who are suffering, Archbishop Eamon Martin told those gathered at Knock last Saturday.…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones
Mary Kenny
Breda O'Brien