Mags GarganThe Diocese of Cloyne in conjunction with CDYS is bringing a group of young adults (18-35yrs) to Krakow, Poland for this year’s World Youth Day from July 26 to August 2. It is an opportunity for young adults to share, explore and enjoy their faith. There are a few seats still available. For more information…
Month: February 2016
The death of the removal
Cathal Barry
A shift in practice seems to be occurring across the country, reports Cathal Barry Removals have been an integral part of the grieving process for bereaved Irish families down the years. However, it appears than an increasing number of families are opting to shun the practice, preferring instead for their deceased loved ones to be…
Letters reveal Princess Diana’s friendship with Irish nun
The late Princess of Wales developed a friendship with an Irish nun who offered her “prayers and support” during the public breakdown of her marriage, a series of letters, newly discovered in Ireland, reveal. Letters and a Christmas card sent by Princess Diana in 1992 to Sr Teresa of the Little Sisters of the Assumption…
Liturgical confusion
Courtney McGrail
Fr Donal Neary SJ Catechesis on the Eucharist is needed, writes Fr Donal Neary SJ The recent document It is Good for us to be Here (Veritas 2015) from the National Liturgy Centre raises important and relevant concerns about the practice of weekday liturgy when a priest is legitimately absent. Much work over the past…
Ambitious housing project must be national priority – campaigners
Greg Daly
Tackling homelessness must be a priority in Ireland’s new programme for government, leading campaigners have warned. The calls come after 134 families became homeless last month, bringing Ireland’s total number of homeless families to 769. Previously, the highest monthly total for newly homeless families had been 84 in August last year. The comparable figure for…
Pope’s remarks on contraception ‘don’t change’ Church teaching
Remarks by Pope Francis that Catholic women with Zika virus might be able to use contraception do not change Church teaching, a leading moral theologian has said. Zika virus has been linked by some to birth defects in babies, especially microcephaly which causes them to be born with abnormally small heads, but the link has…
Surprised at dismissive tone towards candidates of faith
Dear Editor, As someone who takes an interest in American politics I was surprised at the cynical and dismissive tone adopted by Michael W Higgins towards any candidate who expresses faith in God in his latest article (IC 18/02/2016). The USA, like Ireland, has become a cold place for people of faith, in particular Catholics,…
20th National Pioneer Ball in Sligo
The National Pioneer Ball was first introduced to the Pioneer calendar in 1997 by a group of young pioneers from Limerick. The ball was a great success and it soon became an annual event, with the location rotating between the different provinces and attracting an attendance of over 300 people nationwide. This year, the 20th…
Pakistani call to end religious discrimination
The president of the National Minorities Alliance of Pakistan (NMAP), has called on the Government of Punjab to end almost 60 years of discrimination against religious minorities and uphold the country’s constitution, which declares the equality of all citizens. Lala Robin Daniel issued his appeal just days after entering a formal complaint to Faisalabad’s Education…
The effects of reconciliation
The Church teaches that reconciliation with God is the purpose and effect of the sacrament, writes Cathal Barry The whole power of the Sacrament of Penance, according to the Church, consists in restoring the faithful to God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship. Reconciliation with God, the Church teaches, is thus…