There are “gravely insufficient” supports and services for Irish teens at risk of suicide, according to a Mater Hospital psychiatrist. This comes as a Unicef report found that Ireland has the fourth highest suicide rate among teenagers in the EU. Prof. Patricia Casey, a UCD and Mater hospital psychiatrist, has said the emergency services are…

A priest who is a volunteer coastguard has been warning parishioners of the many hazards related to water he sees each summer as temperatures rise. With the recent hot weather, Wexford priest Fr Tom Dalton highlighted issues such as cold water shock and the dangers of inflatable toys. With many children jumping into water in…

The Church needs to combat homelessness by lobbying politicians and Government according to a well-known activist. Fr Peter McVerry said that the homeless crisis in Ireland is a political problem, and no matter how many Catholic charities such as Focus Ireland, Crosscare and the Peter McVerry Trust get involved the fundamental issues won’t be solved.…

Ireland is delivering 100 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to help refugees from South Sudan who are fleeing their homes. This includes tarpaulins, blankets, cooking sets and mosquito nets which are being airlifted to refugee camps in Uganda. South Sudan has been embroiled in a civil conflict since December 2013 with refugees escaping to neighbouring countries.…

The World Meeting of Families (WMOF) should leave behind a legacy of helping families caught in the “disgraceful” homeless crisis in Ireland, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said. Speaking at a conference on the WMOF, Dr Martin said there should not only be a spiritual legacy from the event, but also a focus on “what we…

Christians are finding it increasingly difficult to share their faith in the workplace and even among family, according to the newly appointed Presbyterian Moderator. Rev. Dr Noble McNeely was officially installed as the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland (PCI) at a general assembly on Tuesday in Belfast. He told the congregation that…

An Irish cardinal has said the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) will “prepare couples for the reality of marriage”. There are also hopes it will rejuvenate the Church in Ireland. Cardinal Kevin Farrell returned to Dublin, his home city, for a keynote address at the beginning of a three-day conference attended by delegates from all…

An Irish senator has hit out at critics who use Protestants as an excuse to get rid of the Angelus. David Norris spoke in a Seanad meeting last week saying that he strongly rejects claims that Protestants want to do away with the Angelus, dubbing it “political correctness gone mad”. “Protestants are used as a…

Catholic bishops in Northern Ireland have called on citizens to vote in the upcoming election, asking them not to feel “alienated and disheartened”. Recent instability in Stormont was cited as diminishing trust and confidence in the political process, especially among young people. The bishops, including Archbishop Eamon Martin, Bishop John McAreavey and Bishop Noel Treanor,…