FORMER President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, has said there will be no priests left in the Western world in 30 years’ time unless the Catholic Church ends celibacy and the bar on married priests. Ms McAleese, currently chancellor of Trinity College Dublin, made the comments after Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, an adviser to Pope Francis and highly influential […]
Community saddened by death of much-loved Freda Hudson
THE Enniskillen community was left devastated following the death of one of its much-loved residents Freda Hudson, who served the local community with ‘a smile’ for over four decades. Ms Hudson, formerly of Chanterhill Road in Enniskillen, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, surrounded by her family. Born between the bridges to parents Hughie and Lily […]
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 […]
Time for a Helping Hand
RECENTLY a man asked me out of the blue “Why did you leave the priesthood?” I was taken aback by the directness of his question and replied that I wasn’t cut out for the celibate life. He laughed at my response but that evening I reflected on that difficult decision I made 35 years ago. […]
Presidential peace award for Fr Gabriel
FERMANAGH missionary priest, Fr Gabriel Dolan, has been recognised by President Michael D Higgins for his work in the area of peace, reconciliation, and development. Originally from Cashel, Fr Dolan has dedicated his life to communities in Kenya for over four decades, fighting first for voters rights, then expanding the cause to include land rights and the battle […]
Time for a helping hand
In 1974 during the Easter holidays of my final year at boarding school a vocational workshop was organised for boys thinking of becoming a priest. Anyone that way inclined had to stay over for the weekend while all the other boys went home on holidays. As someone attracted to the idea of becoming a priest, […]