Respect may be vouchsafed, out of good manners. But demanding it — particularly of a comedian in a plastic bag — may be unrealistic, writes Terry Prone

The Bishop of Cork and Ross has called for the exhumation of the remains of Little Nellie — the “unofficial patron saint” of Cork — from a cemetery on lands controlled by receivers to allow people to pray at her grave.

Today, tens of millions worldwide are celebrating the feast of this country’s patron saint, Partick. But ther’s a baffling number of patron saints, and some have rather unexpected job titles, says Brian Moss.

SO are we becoming a nation of pagans?

Most Irish bishops believe we have become a “nation of pagans” who bought in to the “evils of materialism and consumerism” of the Celtic Tiger era.

Individual priests should start talking about reforming communion and confirmation ceremonies because the Church hierarchy is unlikely to do it for them.

The leaders of the Catholic Church need to condemn anti-abortion groups that are disseminating “vile and vitriolic” flyers and issuing violent threats to TDs, said the chair of the Oireachtas committee.

Cardinal Sean Brady has said that enforcing the proposed abortion legislation across all hospitals could lead to potential legal action against the reforms.

The Catholic Communications Office is considering whether to lodge an official complaint with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland after RTÉ stood over a controversial sketch by comedian Mario Rosenstock.

Comedian Mario Rosenstock has hit back at the Catholic Communications Office after the Church’s press office lodged a formal complaint with RTÉ over a sketch in Rosenstock’s television show.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin has launched a campaign to curb excessive spending associated with First Holy Communion celebrations.

The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) has welcomed proposals by the bishops that lay people could yet hold services in this country if there are not enough priests for every parish.

Our tradition and ritual from the Catholic Church is very much part of our identity and cultural heritage.

I picked up my “pilgrim pack” at the RDS on Saturday and was impressed by the many helpful volunteers on duty and the splendid arrangements and preparations at the Eucharistic Congress.

The Priests will be headline performers at the climax of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress.

The Association of Catholic Priests says it has real concerns about the future of the Catholic Church.

An Irish delegation has met Pope Benedict XVI today as part of preparations for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC2012) taking place here this summer.

St Paul’s Cathedral in London could open its doors to the public tomorrow, a week after it closed because of anti-capitalist protesters.

THE ASSOCIATION of Catholic Priests (ACP) has said the Vatican “won’t take too kindly” to calls from the former Bishop of Derry to end clerical celibacy.

THOUSANDS of Catholics could be driven away from attending Mass on a regular basis if Irish bishops press ahead with the introduction of a new English translation of the liturgy, priests have warned.

WOMEN have been called upon to stay away from Mass tomorrow. I have taken part in many campaigns, marches and boycotts but I will not be joining this one.

Richard Hughes capped a truly glorious five days by finishing the Goodwood meeting with a record-breaking total of nine winners.

THE VATICAN has issued a new document making it easier to discipline priests who abuse children, and also made the possession or distribution of child pornography a canonical crime for the first time.

Dublin is to host the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in 2012, Pope Benedict XVI announced today.

BISHOP Donal Murray of Limerick has given the go-ahead for a parish revival plan in Southill.

Pope Benedict XVI today reiterated the Church’s ban on Communion for divorced Catholics who remarry and left it up to bishops whether Catholic politicians should receive Communion if they support abortion rights or gay marriage.

A RTE ‘mockumentary’ about Hollywood star Colin Farrell and adverts on TV3 for Irish Psychics Live and tarot card phone line 7th Sense have all been rapped by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC).

UP TO 20,000 Catholics lined the streets and joined in Cork’s 80th Corpus Christi Eucharistic procession which began at the North Cathedral and ended at Daunt Square yesterday.

THE Augustinian Order has apologised to the Catholic hierarchy for allowing three of its priests to concelebrate the Eucharist in a 1916 Rising anniversary Mass with a Church of Ireland minister.

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

POPE Benedict XVI opened a three-week meeting of over 250 Roman Catholic bishops at the Vatican, telling the synod it was “hypocritical” to exclude religion from public life.

Pope John Paul II’s voice has never been stronger Archbishop Sean Brady, Primate of All Ireland, said today.

Priests have been told to deny communion to pro-abortion Catholic politicians by a senior Vatican cardinal.

Eddie Cassidy

LOOKING for the perfect seasonal gift to impress your parish priest, or convince your friends you have finally lost it?