John L. Allen Jr.By choosing Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas as the first-ever head of his new department for family, laity and life issues, Pope Francis has handed a big win to pastoral moderates in the Church and also laid to rest concerns that he’s somehow hostile to Americans. (Farrell, 68, isn’t American by birth since he was…
Month: August 2016
TG4 discover a real gem with married couples
Brendan O’Regan
One of the most enjoyable programmes I saw last week was Mí na Meala, one of TG4’s treasures, featuring married couples revisiting their honeymoons. The photo-album motif was appealing, with music ranging from apt to cheesy! Last Wednesday it was the turn of Etaín and Séamus Ó Síocháin, a couple very much in love and…
A long and winding road
Courtney McGrailSr Gwen Collins tells Rachel Beard about her journey from Olympic swimming coach to Carmelite nun
Nine days of wonder
The National Novena at Knock opened on Sunday August 14 with a warm summer breeze, bright blue skies and a joyous atmosphere as pilgrims, young families, tourists and passers-by gathered for beginning of the nine-day devotion to Our Lady of Knock. With the Diocese of Meath making its annual pilgrimage to the shrine, Meath’s Bishop…
God, games and remembering what really matters
Dear Editor, Thank you so much for your coverage of the Olympics in recent weeks, and especially in the issue of August 18. The Irish Catholic should be commended especially for its focus on the faith dimension of the games, something too often overlooked. In other years this might be understandable, but it is hard…
Religion banned from hospitals in Zhejiang
The Chinese province of Zhejiang, which garnered international attention for its drive against Christian crosses and buildings, has now moved to ban any outward signs of faith in medical facilities. Under new regulations it is forbidden to pray or preach in any hospital, while patients are barred from receiving priests at their bedsides. The main…
Catholic Bishop leads calls for truth in Philippines killings
Paul Keenan
A Catholic bishop in the Philippines has led calls for the nation’s elected representatives to uncover the truth about the surge in killings of suspected drug dealers and addicts. As senators convene a congressional inquiry into killings which have risen in line with the tough stance adopted by President Rodrigo Duterte since his election on…
News in Brief
Glenstal abbot blessing likely in November The new abbot of Glenstal Abbey is likely to be formally installed in early November, The Irish Catholic understands. Ennis-born Fr Brendan Coffey was elected the sixth abbot of the Co. Limerick monastery on Saturday, August 13, succeeding Mark Patrick Hederman. The election was presided over by Abbot Ansgar Schmidt, Abbot President of the…
West Cork parishioners delight in Olympic success
Greg Daly
The O’Donovan brothers’ rowing exploits in the Olympics have “really helped to put Skibbereen on the map”, according to the chair of Skibbereen’s parish pastoral council. “It’s brilliant,” Jacinta Crowley told The Irish Catholic, continuing, “the town is all done up beautiful, and the volunteers are in the process of painting the rowing club for…
Ireland achieves international agreement on protection of migrants
In “a landmark achievement of Irish diplomacy”, Ireland has successfully steered member states of the United Nations to an agreement on the protection of migrants and refugees. Since last February, the UN’s 193 states have engaged in rounds of negotiations on how best to deal with the surging reality of migration, both economic and forced.…