“When I was there last year I met this family where the nine-year-old son, who has four sisters and a mother, is the man of the house because the husband got killed in the war.”

Donations to the organisation’s Christmas appeal will fund development and humanitarian projects throughout the developing world.

Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly of Cashel & Emly to formally open nine-day festival of faith in Co Tipperary on Tuesday.

Four men to be ordained this weekend for the dioceses of Armagh, Cashel & Emly and Clogher.