Five of the 53 parishes in the Diocese of Kerry are now without a resident priest and changes announced yesterday by Bishop of Kerry Dr Ray Browne, are to take account of five deaths as well as retirements.

THE OLD pagan festival of Bealtaine, marking the coming of summer and the season of fertility, is still celebrated at an ancient stone fort at the foot of the Paps mountains, writes Donal Hickey

The committee in charge of the funeral liturgy in the Diocese of Kerry has ruled out guidelines which would standardise funeral behaviour there, saying it would be too difficult.

New historical allegations of child sex abuse by priests in the Kerry diocese have been received since a report on clerical abuse in the diocese was published just over a year ago.

Church authorities, gardaí, and locals remain mystified about the motive for cutting down a landmark Christian cross at the summit of Ireland’s highest mountain.

Welcome to your Wednesday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

The residence of the Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, is the latest to be targeted by thieves in a string of recent burglaries around Co Kerry.

A priest who had access to all primary schools in the Kerry diocese, as diocesan inspector, in the 1950s and 60s has 25 allegations of abuse levelled against him, with more expected.

The country’s newest Catholic bishop, who has chosen “love one another” as his motto, said it was by no means certain the good times would soon return and urged more sharing with the needy.

The bishop-elect of Kerry yesterday said he was “totally surprised” when Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown advised him of the appointment ten days ago.

A PHONE salesman with a glowing reference from his former employer ended up stealing phones in his new job and selling them online.