Courtney McGrailDear Editor, The ideal of the Christian family is embedded in the Irish Constitution and provides a template or framework for the family. Not all families are ideal, not all families are Christian, but Irish laws within the Constitution are capable of accommodating people of different belief systems. The forthcoming referendum on same-sex marriage will…
Month: April 2015
Irish survivor pleased with Vatican abuse meeting
Greg DalyThe Irishwoman who advises Pope Francis on the Church’s child protection measures has said she is pleased with a meeting to discuss a controversial bishop accused of covering up abuse. Marie Collins, a survivor of clerical abuse and member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, travelled to Rome at the weekend to…
Talpiot’s elusive truth
Paul KeenanThe ‘tomb of Jesus’ is back in the news, writes Paul Keenan
Drogheda May Day procession to honour Holy Family
Mags GarganThe Drogheda annual May Day procession of ‘Our Lady of Fatima & St Joseph the worker’ will take place on Friday, May 1 at 6.30pm. In light of the forthcoming May 22 referendum on same-sex marriage, the central theme of this year’s procession is to honour the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph within the…
Inaugural Mass for St Peregrine attracts large crowd
Despite adverse weather conditions, over 800 people attended the inaugural healing Mass in honour of St Peregrine, patron saint of cancer, in St Patrick’s Church, Skerries, Co. Dublin. Mass was concelebrated by Fr Richard Hyland PP, Fr Tim Flynn OSM (Servite Order) and Fr David Halpin. In attendance was Bro. Patrick Gettins OSM (UK). The…
Cause for Alfie Lambe moves to next stage
The cause for the canonisation for Servant of God Alfie Lambe, which was opened in 1978, was closed on March 26, 2015. A native of Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Alfie travelled to South America in 1953 to spread the Legion of Mary throughout many countries. He was of delicate health and died in 1959 at the…
A shepherd with the ‘smell of his sheep’
Cathal BarryBishop Alphonsus Cullinan tells Cathal Barry he plans on putting his pastoral experience into action
New bishop welcomed to sunny south east
“It was a wonderful day for Waterford,” Cllr James Tobin, Mayor of Waterford City & County, told The Irish Catholic as people lined up to meet and pose for photos with Bishop Phoncie Cullinan, after his episcopal ordination in Waterford on Sunday. “How can Waterford put up with a Clareman,” Bishop Phoncie asked when he…
Should parishes discuss the same-sex marriage referendum?
We think they should. First, the referendum is not only about redefining marriage but also the family. We are being asked to decide if there is any distinction to be permitted between founding a family upon a father and a mother, and upon two fathers or two mothers. The family has always been considered the…
Schools admissions row puts Church in a bind
David QuinnIf there is no preference for children of past pupils, families with deep roots in the area lose out says David Quinn