Eighth amendment key election issue – claim The key human rights issue of our time is the right to life of the unborn, and defence of the Eighth Amendment must become a central issue in the upcoming general election, Family and Life’s legal advisor told a gathering in Kildare recently, writes Susan Gately. Tens of thousands of Irish people were “walking…
The Government has accused the United Nations of failing to implement its own rules to protect vulnerable minorities, including Christians, in the Middle East. Dara Murphy, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, told the Seanad that “the Government believes the UN and the Security Council, in particular, have not…
Five different schools from the Laois/Carlow/Kildare area were represented at the Eucharistic Ministers Commissioning Mass celebrated by Fr John Dunphy in the parish of Graiguecullen/Killeshin, Co. Laois recently. The group of 20 young adults were commissioned after a five-week training course. During their training they explored the origins of the Mass and the true meaning…
A Co. Mayo parish priest is on a mission to improve his parishioners’ health with an Operation Transformation fitness programme under the slogan ‘pray together, weigh together’. Based on the health and fitness programme airing on RTÉ One, 52 parishioners in Tourmakeady are going for regular walks and fitness classes with their PP Fr John…
Satellite photos reveal monastic devastation Iraq’s oldest Christian monastery has been destroyed by ISIS, it has been revealed. Satellite images have confirmed that Deir Mar Elia – or St Elijah’s – a 1,400-year-old monastery outside Mosul, has been destroyed by the jihadist militants. It is believed the monastery was demolished between August and September 2014, shortly after Mosul was…
Cathal Barry examines whether a priest’s character should influence the Mass The Irish are well known for their larger than life personalities and priests from these parts are no exception. The personality of the celebrant is a prominent element in the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Mass, particularly since the Second Vatican Council. To…
Politicians have forgotten about ‘vulnerable fellow citizens’ in the prelude to the Rising Centenary, writes Editor Michael Kelly The Fine Gael-Labour coalition has been at pains to point out that the commemorations of the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising should be as inclusive as possible. The State has given grants to unionist communities in…
A friendly spirit is a constant in a congress of contradictions, writes Fr Bernard Healy On arrival at Mactan-Cebu Airport, the Irish Pilgrimage to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress was greeted with a warm Filipino welcome as Congress volunteers placed decorative necklaces around the necks of the pilgrims and shepherded us through customs. That welcome…
Congratulations to Kathleen Magennis from Dublin, who won our Christmas crossword competition. The first prize is a fully inclusive pilgrimage for two to Lourdes in 2016 with Pilgrimages Abroad. The three runners-up who will receive a copy of The Francis Effect DVD are: Mrs P. Gray, Dublin 9; Kathleen Murray, Co. Cork; Margaret McNulty, Limerick.…
Irish folk singer Dolores Keane has spoken of how her Catholic faith helped her in her fight against alcohol addiction. In an interview on the Meaning of Life with Gay Byrne, the singer explained that prayer had played a big part in her life growing up, but she then lost her faith until she sought…
Greg Daly
Mags Gargan
Cathal Barry
Michael Kelly