The newly-ordained Bishop of Ossory has weighed into the debate on abortion on his first day in office, describing as “paradoxical and in some ways the ultimate delusion” the proposal to “extinguish” the right to life of a child.

FOR more than 200 years, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, has been the centre of training of seminarians for the priesthood.

If you've ever spent two weeks of your summer at an Irish College, there is no doubting you had a fantastic time.

Irish people living in Paris brought white lilies and roses to Mass at Chapelle Saint Patrick at the Irish College on Rue des Irlandais yesterday morning, where they were joined by the Irish ambassador to France, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and her family, for a particularly poignant service.

A community council has restored a once-derelict cottage which was the birthplace of the first patron of the GAA, Archbishop Thomas William Croke, and plans to turn it into a museum.

CATHOLIC priests are no more likely to abuse minors than men of any other profession. They are no more likely to abuse minors than priests of any other denomination. They are slightly less likely to abuse minors than teachers.

Caroline Flack hosts Viral Tap, on ITV2 at 10pm. A brand new topical comedy show which searches for the week's best online clips and viral videos.

Ask any student who has spent their Erasmus year in Leuven — they will tell you it’s a great city, and they had the time of their lives.

Belgian police have confirmed that the two bodies found at the scene of a fire in Leuven are those of two Irish students.

Belgian police say two bodies have been found after a fire at a student residence connected to the Irish college in the University town of Leuven in Belgium.

A ‘book camp’ gave Claire Droney the much-needed push to finally get her novel idea off the ground and onto a page.

Monsignor Eamon Martin has been appointed assistant bishop in the Archdiocese of Armagh, as Cardinal Sean Brady plans to retire as head of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

The Pope will announce the successor to the head of the Catholic church in Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady today.

An internet initiative is putting the tradition of storytelling back on the map, writes Richard Fitzpatrick

The Association of Catholic Priests has accused the Archbishop of New York of destroying the reputation of priests “who had given lifelong service to the Irish Catholic Church”.

IT was the week before Christmas.

A senior Catholic cleric in the North has temporarily stood aside, it emerged today.

IT USED to be considered a cushy number. A free university education, the chance to travel, accommodation and housekeeper provided, instant respect, a fair degree of power, opportunities for promotion, a pension, security for life.

Sixteen men today begin formal studies for the priesthood in Ireland.

A CAMPAIGNER against institutional child sex abuse yesterday declared that he was going on a seven-day fast in protest over inaction against sex abusers and those who concealed it.

THE Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray’s expected resignation from his post could be announced today, as attention turns to who will succeed him in the short term.

A Dublin priest has been chosen by Pope Benedict to become one of the Vatican's most senior media advisors, the Catholic Church revealed today.

President Mary McAleese is to attend the Vatican ceremony where Catholic Primate Sean Brady is to be made a Cardinal on November 24, it emerged tonight.

The Pope's elevation of the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland to cardinal was an expression of the pontiff's desire to see the peace process continue to succeed and become a model for the rest of the world, Archbishop Sean Brady said today.

The Taoiseach and three ministers will be in France later this week on official business to coincide with the Rugby World Cup clash between the two countries in Paris.

POPE Benedict XVI and President Mary McAleese yesterday led tributes to an Irish-trained priest who was shot dead in Iraq.

A priest who inspired local communities through his Muintir na Tíre organisation will be commemorated today by the Taoiseach.

It is with regret that I learned of the recent death of Canon John Finn, former parish priest of Aghabullogue and Clondrohid in Co Cork. He was 91.

Calls have been made on Vocations Sunday for religious life to be made more attractive to would-be priests and nuns.

Two Irish students marked Easter at their ordination as deacons in Rome.

Four students from the Pontifical Irish College in Rome are to be ordained to the Catholic priesthood this year, it was confirmed today.

POPE John Paul II, laid out in the splendid red reserved for papal mourning, showed the signs of suffering on his pale, serene face.

The new director of the Abbey Theatre, Fiach Mac Conghail, vowed tonight to create a shared vision for the future of the historic venue.

President Mary McAleese is due to attend a ceremony today to commemorate the founding of the Irish College in Rome 375 years ago.