Wishes and votes of parents in referendum are being ignored The Government has been told that it needs to “overcome its profound ideological blind spot” and that it is “blinkered” after the programme for government made no mention of providing supports to parents who wish to stay at home with their children. Speaking to…
Category: News
Historians hope Catholic emancipation will receive proper recognition
Academics have highlighted Catholic emancipation as a “landmark civil rights achievement” and regardless of Government sponsorship it should be marked significantly in 2029. The bicentenary of the historic 1829 milestone did not appear in the ‘Commemoration’ section of the programme for government which listed several events the new Government “could mark” in their 5-year term.…
Politicians are disregarding families, says international speaker
“The problems we face today stem from a lack of awareness about the function of the family,” said Vincenzo Bassi, president of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE), during his recent visit to Ireland. FAFCE represents the voice of families at the European Union and is an advocate for their role in…
‘Anglicans and Catholics have much in common’, Bishop Coll
The 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is taking place from January 18 to 25, with this year’s theme being the question Jesus posed to Martha: ‘Do you believe this?’ (John 11:26). As part of the week’s celebrations, Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll gave a homily during a service in St Canice’s Church of…
Peace is fragile so we need to pray, says Irish priest in Israel
The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has boosted the hope of people directly impacted by the devastating conflict that has been raging in the region since October 2023, but while there is “a great sense of rejoicing”, history has shown that peace can be fragile and according to an Irish priest based in Israel, the only…
‘Something special’ felt around Derry since opening of Sr Clare’s cause
There’s “something special” afoot in the city of Derry since the path to sainthood began for one of their own, Sr Clare Crockett, according to a local priest. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Fr Gerard Mongan Administrator of Long Tower Church in Derry, said that the magnitude of the local Derry girl’s sensational path…
Mixed messages from Pope as Trump begins presidency
Pope Francis sent a message to Donald Trump on the occasion of his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, offering prayers for “wisdom, strength, and protection” in the exercise of his duties and invoking blessings upon the “beloved American people”. In the message, released by the Holy See Press Office…
Nigerian priests in Ireland want new Govt to highlight persecution in country
The newly-formed Irish Government ought to do more for beleaguered Nigerian Christians who are routinely persecuted for their Faith, say Nigerian priests living in Ireland after a recently published report, The World Watch List, revealed that Nigeria is the country that has seen the highest rates of Christians being kidnapped or killed because of their…
Nigeria tops report for number of Christians killed, kidnapped in 2024
Nigeria was the country with the most Christians killed and kidnapped in 2024, according to the latest report from advocacy group Open Doors. The World Watch List, released January 15, found that 3,100 Christians were killed and 2,830 Christians were kidnapped in Nigeria in 2024, far more than other countries in the same year. The…
Bishop Doran talks about Elphin and Achonry’s joining
“Decisions that you make locally are far more important.” Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran said, in his homily during Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Curry, Co. Sligo on January 19 that, even though a surprise to many, the joining of the Dioceses of Elphin and Achonry “is not really going to make…