Exclusive There is a “crisis” among young people who “we are losing to self-harm, through addiction and reckless actions”, the Bishop of Derry has warned. Bishop Donal McKeown told The Irish Catholic that “our priests are constantly burying young people who die for want of a reason for living”, while also saying the Church…
Category: News
Tributes paid to Gabriel Doherty
Historian and broadcaster Gabriel Doherty died at the age of 56 last Friday, November 8. Mr Doherty was a lecturer at the University College Cork School of History and a widely published historian, he edited two books and contributed to many articles and historical journals. Mary E. Fitzgibbon, a spokesperson for Ireland Stand Up, a…
The end of an Era: New monastic community born
The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (O.C.S.O.) also known as ‘Trappists’, on a historic move, has found a new community merging three established ones. The three communities are Mount Melleray Abbey from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea from the Diocese of Killaloe and Mellifont Abbey from the…
Increase in enquiries to diocesan priesthood gives ‘hope’ for future
Speaking ahead of the ‘Come and See’ retreat this weekend in St Patrick’s College Maynooth, an event organised for men exploring a vocation and reflecting “more deeply on a call” to diocesan priesthood, the National Diocesan Vocations Coordinator for the Irish Episcopal Conference said that the rise in the number of enquiries discerning a vocation…
Passing the faith on in Co. Cavan
The community of Kingscourt Parish, Co. Cavan celebrated on November 7 the launch of a new edition of Pass it On, a book of prayers, inspirational poems, quotes and motivational words of encouragement to be ‘passed on’ from one generation to the next. The first edition was published in 2012 as an initiative of the…
Cost of living and housing to the fore as politicians start knocking
Politicians have reported that the main issues emerging at the doors of houses across the country as they canvass their way around country lanes and sprawling estates primarily concern the “incredible” cost of living and the lack of housing, issues that are contributing to an “overwhelming sense that the Government has lost control of everything”.…
A sad student story
A very sad story emerged this past week about an Oxford student who killed himself: a story which revealed much about our times and values. Alexander Rogers was 20 years old and a third-year student at Corpus Christi college, studying science, and predicted to get a First. He was described at an inquest as “kind,…
Preparations for Jubilee Year have begun
The Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica will be opening in less than 40 days, marking the beginning of the Jubilee Year, an event that takes place every 25 years. “The Jubilee Year 2025 offers us many opportunities. I think its central message of hope is important for our world,” explained Bishop Fintan Gavin of…
‘Everything we do reflects on God’, Fr Ron Rolheiser
The Newman Centre of Faith and Reason, based in Dublin, is hosting their Annual Newman Lecture. In this occasion, they are welcoming Fr Ron Rolheiser, who will be speaking on ‘not our tribal deity’. In a recent conversation with The Irish Catholic, the author shared that he will be reflecting on “how we must free…
Irish bishops in solidarity visit to Ethiopia
Bishops from six dioceses across Ireland are currently on a trip to Ethiopia with Trócaire, the agency of the Catholic Church. Trócaire says this visit has the primary aim to bear witness to the vital work that has been done in that country in the name of the Irish Church. The visit will last one…