The Catholics: The Church and its People in Britain and Ireland, from the Reformation to the Present Day by Roy Hattersley (Chatto and Windus, £25.00) Roy Hattersley prefaces his congenial history with a fascinating autobiographical fragment in which he recalls the ease with which his father could translate Latin inscriptions during their frequent visits to…
The decision by Wexford General Hospital to remove the word ‘saint’ from its ward signs has been described as “disappointing” by the local bishop, questioning a tendency to suppress references to religious belief in Ireland’s public life. The hospital revised the ward names after it drew down funding for improved signage after opening a new…
The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown pictured at the funeral of Peter Mathews TD at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, Dublin. The nuncio paid tribute to the former Fine Gael TD for Dublin South on behalf of Pope Francis, saying he was “an outstanding citizen and a great patriot who possessed a…
The parish priest of a Galway church which hosted a ‘drive-thru’ Ash Wednesday for busy parishioners has spoken of the phenomenal reaction to the initiative. Describing himself a “surprised at the number of people” who happily responded to the invitation from Glenamday parish for an Ash Wednesday with a distinct difference, Fr Paddy Mooney told…
An Irish Columban sister who was violently attacked by a masked assailant in the Philippines, will not let her “terrible ordeal” affect her work, according to her congregational leader. Sr Kathleen Melia (70), who is originally from Co. Leitrim, has worked as a missionary in the Philippines for over 30 years, in particular campaigning for…
Hollywood star Sam Worthington has said that working on his new film The Shack helped him to better understand his relationship with God. The Shack is based on the 2007 novel of the same name by William P. Young, which follows the spiritual journey of a father, Mack, after suffering a family tragedy which makes…
Going Global for God: A Portrait of Ballyheigue’s Missionary Movement by Micheál Ó hAllmhuráin (Ballyheigue History and Heritage Group; phone: (066) 7133110 (during office hours only), email: ballyheigue@dioceseofkerry.ie) This is a splendid tribute to the men and women from the small parish in Ballyheigue in Co Kerry who spent their lives on the missions at…
A statue of Our Lady of Fatima, blessed by Pope Francis, has begun a tour of Ireland to mark 100 years since the Marian apparitions at the Portuguese village. The statue was welcomed to the Archdiocese of Armagh, and has now begun its journey to dioceses North and South . The tour is being conducted…
This morning, our toddler woke me at 3am. While she drifted off again at about 6am, I’ve been awake ever since. Yesterday, I had a relative lie-in as she only woke me at 5am. That’s two nights in a row of around four hours sleep. At two-and-a-half years of age, most toddlers have started sleeping…
“The Church will still continue to work and pray for a flourishing of vocations to the priesthood”, writes Michael Kelly “The last person out should switch off the lights.” That’s Donegal-based priest Fr Edward Gallagher’s stark reaction to revelations this week that dozens of rural post offices are set to close. Fr Gallagher, parish priest…
Greg Daly
Courtney McGrail
Mags Gargan
Michael Kelly