DESIGNED as territories of spiritual and temporal control, Ireland’s diocesan structures date from the Synod of Kells in 1152. The bishop was a spiritual ‘capo’ and a lord who ruled.

OF the 18 priests who have been accused of child sexual abuse in the diocese of Tuam since 1975, just two have been convicted.

IT was a case of the Plough and the Pilgrims in Athy when the logistics of organising the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin next June were compared with those for the ploughing championships.

A Vatican investigation team is to meet with victims of clerical child sexual abuse and their families.

Survivors of clerical abuse demanded tonight that senior clergy and gardaí who allowed known paedophile priests to prey on defenceless children be brought to justice.

The Murphy report into the rape and molestation of 320 children by 46 priests in the Dublin Archdiocese has found the Church and a former Garda Commissioner covered up abuse.

The Catholic hierarchy in Ireland was granted immunity to cover up child sex abuse among paedophile priests in Dublin, a damning report revealed today.

The Catholic Primate and Archbishop of Armagh Dr Sean Brady is tonight preparing to be made a Cardinal in the Vatican.

Thousands of people joined the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for a solemn procession of remembrance today to mark the bicentenary of Britain’s abolition of the slave trade.

The Government’s failure to honour its commitment on overseas aid is “deeply disappointing”, the newly formed Irish Commission for Justice and Social Affairs said today.

The Church must “start from scratch” to earn back the trust of victims of clerical child abuse, it was claimed today.