Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has led tributes to Pope Francis who died on Monday morning, describing him as “a faithful shepherd” whose papacy was “a profound gift to the Church and world”, extending condolences on behalf of Ireland’s bishops and faithful. Archbishop Martin spoke of his personal humility and his unwavering commitment…
A leading American exorcist due to speak at Knock Shrine in June has said that the collapse of Catholic faith in Ireland is leaving individuals and the country exposed to the demonic. Msgr Stephen Rossetti, a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, psychologist and exorcist, told The Irish Catholic: “More and more people are abandoning…
The veteran broadcaster George Hook has said the current approach to religious education is so general it risks undermining the country’s religious heritage, adding that it is a “great pity”. “What upsets me greatly is they don’t teach Catholicism in schools anymore. They teach religion. My grandchildren know as much about Islam as they do…
The parish priest in Rory McIlroy’s hometown of Holywood in Co. Down has hailed the golfer following his historic victory in the US Masters, describing him as “a really great kid and very caring in every respect”. Fr Stephen McBrearty told The Irish Catholic he mentioned McIlroy at every Mass over the weekend before he…
The real meaning of Easter has disappeared into a cataclysmic, calorific extravagance of chocolate eggs, George Hook tells Chai Brady In the ever-evolving landscape of Irish Catholicism, few voices articulate the generational shifts with the same candour as George Hook. A veteran broadcaster and commentator, Mr Hook’s reflections on faith, culture, and national identity are…
Veteran broadcaster Paul Clark speaks to Chai Brady about Easter, assisted suicide, women’s potential, and the meaning of journalism. For more than five decades, Paul Clark has been a familiar face and voice in the North of Ireland. Behind the calm presence on screen is a man whose life is anchored not only in journalism,…
On the eve of his retirement, Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry has said in future there will not be a priest in every parish and the faithful must embrace a faith sustained “by committed lay people”. The bishop’s 75th birthday lands on April 12, when he must submit his resignation to the Pope. Reflecting on…
Bishop Donal McKeown has spent his life walking with the faithful of the North of Ireland, through conflict and peace, through shifting cultural landscapes, and now through the changing face of the Church. As he approaches retirement, his reflections are not those of a man looking backward, but of one still sowing seeds for the…
Housing crisis is driving youth leaving care to drugs and prison Children leaving State care face spiralling into crime and addiction due to an inability to find housing, with the situation getting “definitely worse” according to campaigners. The Peter McVerry Trust is supporting dozens of young adults who turn 18 and leave State care…
A bill introduced last week which aims to change the Constitution and remove the oath to God judges must take has been criticised by TDs. It was introduced by Fine Gael’s Barry Ward TD of Dún Laoghaire and to fully pass would require a referendum. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Carol Nolan TD of Laois-Offaly…