• Statement of the Coordination of Bishops’ Conferences in support of the Church in the Holy Land “We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it.” (Laudato Si 229). As the Bishops of the […]

Bishop John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore and chair of the Council for Justice & Peace of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, today presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the subject of ‘The ongoing Persecution of Christians’.  Bishop McAreavey’s delegation included: Father Timothy Bartlett, an advisor to the Bishops’ Council […]

A Pastoral Reflection on Climate Change by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Catholic social justice groups: ‘Solidarity must be the defining value of Budget 2014’ Ahead of the publication of Budget 2014 on Tuesday next 15 October, the Bishops of Ireland wish to draw attention to the joint appeal to Government by seven Catholic social justice groups which are calling for an end to the devastating and […]

The Northern Ireland Catholic Council on Social Affairs (NICCOSA) has been examining ways in which the Catholic Church can work with parishes and others to help reduce the risk of suicide in our communities.

This month we reflect on two key anniversaries in the field of peace building – the 50th anniversary of Pope John’s Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terris (11 April 1963) and the 15th anniversary of the historic signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Council for Justice and Peace of the Irish Episcopal Conference marks two key anniversaries: 15th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and 50th anniversary of Pacem in Terris

Seven Catholic social justice groups have today issued a joint appeal to Government for a change in direction in the forthcoming budget to bring us closer to creating a society where respect for the dignity of every person, fairness, solidarity and the common good are the key underpinning values.

A series of videos commissioned by the Council for Justice and Peace of the Irish Episcopal Conference, which explore some of the key aspects of Catholic Social Teaching. Themes include: Poverty, Work, the Economic Crisis and Global Solidarity.

Caring for Health in Ireland is a response to the health care reform outlined in the current Programme for Government. Our response is inspired by key principles from Catholic social teaching – human dignity, the common good, participation, solidarity and subsidiarity. From the health perspective, issues analysed by Caring for Healthcare in Ireland include the current public health consultation, the proposed Universal Health Insurance scheme and related changes to the structure of the hospital system; mental health services; disability; older people; and palliative care.