Priests’ conference hears that the Church needs “to reach out” for vocations

Some 19 priest-directors for vocations from around Ireland attended a video-conference gathering this week facilitated by Father Stephen Langridge, a priest of the Diocese of Southwark in England. Father Langridge is a former national vocations coordinator for the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.  He was director of the Vocations Discernment in Kent and produced […]

Bishop Monahan consecrates new columbarium in Ennis Cathedral

Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe has consecrated a columbarium in the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul in Ennis, Co Clare. A columbarium is a place where cremated human remains are interred. Ennis cathedral now becomes the first in Ireland to provide this option for internment. The first internment of ashes will take place at […]

“Much loved and respected” Father Norman Davitt SVD (100) dies in Co Roscommon

Father Norman Davitt SVD, who celebrated his 100th birthday on 29 March, died on Saturday 16 October in Donamon, Co Roscommon, after 80 years in religious life. Father Davitt possessed an independent and lively spirit as well as his humour and closeness to people. He became well known all over the country for delivering cards […]

Cardinal Parolin: the world needs women’s leadership and skills

Speaking on behalf of Pope Francis in a video message on Monday, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin welcomed the Women’s Forum G20 Italy meeting, saying the world needs women’s partnership, leadership, and skills to face the monumental challenges of today. Participants are gathered in Milan for a two day meeting focusing on the […]

Rebrand of Pope’s charity as ‘Missio Ireland’ ahead of World Mission Sunday  

The Irish branch of the Pontifical Mission Societies, formerly known as World Missions Ireland, has been rebranded as ‘Missio Ireland’ at a media launch which took place in the Veritas headquarters in Dublin on Monday 18 October.  The rebranding of the Pope’s official charity for overseas mission takes place ahead of the annual collection on […]

Nine new seminarians brings to 64 currently studying for the priesthood

Nine new seminarians have begun their 2021-2022 academic programme and formation for Irish dioceses. These students are currently undertaking the propaedeutic programme in the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Dundalk, Archdiocese of Armagh; Royal English College, Valladolid, Spain; and, Royal Scots College, Salamanca, Spain. This brings to 64 the total number studying for the priesthood. See below […]

Pope John Paul I on the road to sainthood

On Wednesday 13 October, Pope Francis received in audience Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorized his dicastery to promulgate the decree recognising a miracle attributed to the intercession of Albino Luciani or Pope John Paul I. The Congregation’s website says it is about the healing of […]

Bishops’ to undertake pilgrimage to Knock to offer Mass in memory of all who died during pandemic

Members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered in-person this week in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, for their Autumn 2021 General Meeting. During their meeting bishops reflected on the heartbreak suffered many thousands of families throughout Ireland who experienced the death of a loved one during the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, bishops acknowledged the additional […]