IN THE 1980s when I worked as a priest in a town in Fermanagh, I lived next door to a couple who were rather traditional, conservative Catholics. I wouldn’t have thought of myself as their type of priest as I was a product of the post-Vatican 2 church which for a very brief period flirted with some […]
Celebrating ancient crafts in honour of St Brigid
IT MAY not be a bank holiday on this side of the border, but communities across Fermanagh are preparing to mark St Brigid’s Day tomorrow (Thursday), a national feast with orgins long pre-dating even the Christian saint it celebrates. In schools and homes across the county and its surrounding areas this week, hands will be busy making the traditional crosses […]
Fr Gary Donegan has surgery for blindness
FR GARY Donegan has paid tribute to the many people who have “rallied around” him after he recently underwent serious eye surgery. Originally from Newtownbutler, the Ardoyne-based cleric, pictured below, had an operation to restore the sight in his right eye after losing his vision a few weeks ago when a bleed to it caused extensive damage. To read […]
Church parishes ‘taking £10,000 hit per month’
“The community have made such a big effort to protect and look after one another.”
Bishop steps down due to ill-health
CATHOLIC Bishop of Kilmore Diocese Leo O’Reilly has announced his retirement in recent days. Since then he has stepped down from this role having received notification from Pope Francis that his request for early retirement on the grounds of ill-health was accepted and his retirement was to take effect immediately. The Bishop penned a pastoral […]
Women need bigger say in Catholic church, says cleric
While woman priests are still ruled out, Mgr Joseph McGuinness tells Roisin Henderson that the church is still too much of a male preserve.
Almost a million on the move for Pope’s Irish visit
Monsignor Peter O’Reilly says there is huge excitement around the visit.
One priest serving several parishes could be new norm
“This is really the beginning of addressing an issue that’s going to be with us for years and years to come.”
It’s all happening for our Nathan!
‘I used to sit at meetings in Enniskillen looking out at the water thinking I would love a boat up here so I ended up moving.’
Pope Francis honours Lough Derg priest murdered in Iraq
‘I was very shocked when I heard the news, and very saddened. Hopefully, one day, Iraq will have a new saint.’