A priest who has worked as a teacher and school principal has been appointed Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.

Church authorities spelled out their opposition to planned abortion legislation during a meeting with the Government yesterday.

Over 400 jobs are to be created following two announcements yesterday.

Survivors of industrial abuse have accused the Irish Catholic hierarchy of “trying to cut us dead” in the past year and have threatened, in a protest action, to walk 253km from Cork to Dublin during the week of the Eucharistic Congress.

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin yesterday called for an independent international commission of inquiry to be established into the crimes of the late Brendan Smyth.

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has called for an independent investigation into past allegations of clerical sex abuse.

ONLY one of 14 priests of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois against whom allegations of child sexual abuse were made was convicted of an offence.

THE finances of most dioceses around the country are flagging as collections and Mass attendance figures plummet, it has been claimed.

An historic cathedral was destroyed today in a Christmas Day fire.

A Catholic bishop criticised for not investigating an allegation of child sex abuse today said that in response to calls for his resignation he would be guided by the priests and people of his diocese.

IRISH priest Fr Michael Sinnott, who was being held hostage by rebels in the Philippines, was released last night.

HUNDREDS of the country’s brightest children could miss out on the chance of taking special classes because of a budget cutback that will save the Government less than €100,000.

Ireland warmed up for their upcoming European qualifiers with a comprehensive 84-58 win over Luxembourg at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght tonight.

THE former head of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the North is to head up an all-island child protection board.

WOULD it help you cope with the loss of a loved one to know that a scoundrel has got a nice monetary windfall from your bereavement? I suspect not. But strange to relate, this is happening every day throughout Ireland.

THE Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is to begin public hearings into allegations of abuse at an industrial school for girls in Co Longford when it resumes in the New Year.

CELEBRATIONS to mark Pope John Paul’s visit 25 years ago begin at the ancient Clonmacnoise monastic site tomorrow.

Kildare are preparing this week for their first championship match of the season with a number of changes to their normal outfit.