The Church in Africa, a Seed of Unity

Doctors and their Collaborators in War-Torn Areas

Orientation course for pastoral workers teaches sensitivity to local Irish context. “Society is quite sensitive to what you say. It is a big challenge and you have to be conscious not to step on the people’s toes.”

Recognition of the Right of Christian Communities

"For those who are involved in the service and transmission of faith..."

“We have to face the fact that at the moment there are [fewer] priests than we were used to, and this has an effect on how parishes operate. Obviously, there is a whole richness within the laity that hasn’t been tapped into.”

“I wanted to share with other people the awesome consolations of faith that I have received so that they will know that God is real, and that Jesus is present in the world and available to us – if we can just tune in and reach out.”

"We all want peace. It is desired above all by those who suffer its absence".

Pope Francis: "Religious, with their prayer, poverty, and patience, are essential to the Church’s mission".

Pope Francis: "I renew the invitation to everyone to pray the Rosary every day in October..."

National Vocations Office marks its first anniversary with a national ‘Come and See’ vocations retreat on 23 and 24 November.

Fr Brian D’Arcy has called for the Church to allow married men and women to be ordained as priests.

“If the Archbishop appoints me, I see that as what God wants me to do. If I respond positively and go where he wants, I think it brings a grace.”

“When Christ invited his own disciples to follow him, it was an invitation. That word of encouragement from priests, bishops and parishioners is part of it. We have to invite men to priesthood.”

Pope Francis: "...If young people don't have the possibility of education, what future can they have?"

Pope Francis: ‘I’m excited to return to Ireland’

Of the 58 priests who are active in parishes, some 28 of these are over the age of 65. Only seven priests are under the age of 50.

Priests and their Pastoral Ministry

“I love the priesthood and thank God every day for my vocation.” – Monsignor Martin McDonnell

“I have great faith.  I often think of the prophet Abraham who never reached the promised land and yet he remained faithful to what he was asked to do in the mission of life."

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin ordains two new priests, Frs Dominic Binh Viet Nguyen and Paul Binh Xuan, for Salesian order at St Patrick's College Maynooth.

Priests and their Pastoral Ministry

Welcoming Fr Seán Mulligan’s ordination, the Diocesan Administrator of Clogher, Mgr Joseph McGuinness, said his answer to God’s call was a “great grace and joy to the whole diocese”.

Fr Robert Smyth was ordained on Friday for the Archdiocese of Dublin and Rev Seán Mulligan will be ordained today for the Diocese of Clogher.

“Now we are blessed that the Church in Nigeria is generously sending her missionaries back to us. It is a wonderful exchange ... and the reality of today is that in many ways Ireland is ripe for mission and new evangelisation.”

Thirty-four-year-old Fr Tony McAleese is a former catering manager and the first priest from St Vincent de Paul's in Belfast to be ordained in the parish in 50 years.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin presides at ordination of Rev Fergal Cummins of Meath, Rev Ricky O’Connor of Ferns, and Divine Word Missionaries, Rev Yanbo Chen and Rev Gerhard Osthues.

Marion Mulhall founded worldpriestday.com in response to St John Paul II’s announcement of a World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests.

Censured Redemptorist priest Fr Tony Flannery to deliver lecture at Edinburgh University on ‘Celibacy, sexuality and the crisis in the priesthood’.