People spending too much time on their phones - Kildare Bishop

Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty has warned that people are spending too much time on their phones.

Bishop Nulty was speaking ahead of a Family Picinic in Punchestown next weekend which is part of the Diocese's preparations for next year’s World Meeting of Families and an attempt to reach out to all families.

Speaking ahead of the event Bishop Nulty said: “We all liked going on a family picnic years ago and I think we don’t do enough of it now, because we spend more time on phones and on the internet and spend less quality time with one another.

He added: "With this family picnic we want all families to feel welcome, this is an event for every age and its clear intention is to build up the sense that we are a Church out in the field.

"It’s a bringing together of people, all people, all families. You might ask what family you belong to, you are a valued member of the Diocesan family.”

Families from all 56 parishes in the Diocese have been invited to the August 27 event.

They have been asked to bring along their own picnic with a bit of extra food for a sharing table for those who maybe don’t have enough to eat.

A special invitation has been issued to the families living in the two direct provision centres in the diocese, in Newbridge and Portlaoise, and also the refugee centre in Monasterevin. The diocese will be putting together special picnic baskets for these families.