Rising levels of depression and self-harm among teenagers are linked to the absence of religion in young people’s lives, a Catholic bishop’s adviser on religious education has claimed.

The suggestion by a Catholic bishop’s adviser on religious education that depression and self-harm among teenagers is linked to the absence of religion in young people’s lives seems at least blinkered. It is certainly based on the truths of another time.

The Bishop of Cloyne has announced a major reshuffle of priests in the diocese and the retirement of three.