The newly ordained Bishop of Raphoe has urged Stormont to support an Irish Language Act – a contentious issue in Northern Ireland. Bishop Alan McGuckian, a fluent Irish speaker and scholar who translated a biography of St Ignatius of Layola into Irish, called on politicians to agree on the act. “Given the support there is…
A former Gaelic footballer has opened up about the importance of his faith, saying he “prays regularly”. Sportsman turned fashion designer, Paul Galvin, who played on the Kerry senior team for over 10 years, spoke about the issue of homelessness in Ireland and the importance of going to Church. Mr Galvin, who is launching a…
An initiative to encourage people in nursing homes to sell or rent their properties won’t be effective, and this group should be the last targeted, according to Fr Peter McVerry. Several actions to deliver homes by utilising empty properties were announced this week by the Department of Housing which includes a ‘Fair Deal’ scheme, in…
Ireland’s newest bishop – Dr Alan McGuckian SJ – on the challenges facing the Church in Ireland. He was speaking after his episcopal ordination in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Pope Francis would engage in the reconciliation process in Northern Ireland if he visited, as he is not afraid to engage with “real issues” according to the Bishop of Derry. With increasing speculation that the Pope’s planned visit to Ireland may include a visit to the North, Bishop Donal McKeown said it would complete the…
The World Meeting of Families (WMOF) is an opportunity for the Church to engage with people, such as divorcees, who may feel alienated from “the family that is the Church”. Archbishop Eamon Martin told The Irish Catholic that he hopes the WMOF will reach out and “embrace people in all kinds of family situations”. He…
Images of a jumper with a pro-choice slogan draped over a holy altar in Dublin emerged this week, in a move described as “provocative” and “polarising”. The altar belongs to the Mary Immaculate Church in Inchicore and is in an outdoor grotto. The black jumper has the ‘Repeal’ logo of the pro-choice campaign printed on…
Ireland’s first Jesuit bishop made a touching speech in which he commemorated his late sister, after he was ordained bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe on Sunday. Worshippers came in their droves to the ordination of Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, filling the Cathedral of Saints Eunan and Columba in Letterkenny, Donegal. Dr McGuckian, whose two…
Journalist with The Irish Catholic Chai Brady travelled to northern Kenya where millions of people are facing starvation as a result of severe drought. The Church’s overseas development agency Trócaire is working with local partners to try and alleviate the suffering.
A leading historian has questioned the established idea of the Magdalene laundries, saying that the public view of them makes it difficult for a “fairer assessment to emerge”. Dr Jacinta Prunty, head of the Department of History in Maynooth University, recently published a book investigating the history of the laundries. One of the main points…