Courtney McGrailBro. Terence Harrington, Guardian of the Capuchin Friary in Kilkenny, showing some of the international friars the art of hurling, including Lucjen Zaniewski (left). The international friars are in Ireland as part of an initiative called ‘Fraternities for Europe’, which sees Capuchin provinces from around Europe pooling resources and personnel to support each other. Photo:…
Month: March 2017
Rome summit marks launch of ‘African Catholicism 2.0’
John L. Allen Jr.
In the classic film The Princess Bride, the Inigo Montoya character late in the movie is faced with the challenge of recounting the storyline up to that point. He says, “Let me ‘splain…No, there is too much. Let me sum up.” I’ve got a similar sensation in the wake of a March 22-25 summit of…
Privatising faith impoverishes society
Archbishop Eamon Martin
The voice of faith or religion is not simply for the privacy of our homes and churches, writes Archbishop Eamon Martin We do not enter the public square simply to win arguments through the clever use of reasoning and debate. When we speak, we draw upon both reason and faith and upon an integral vision…
It takes courage to stand up, but we need courageous witness now more than ever
Breda O'Brien
Congratulations to Katie Ascough on becoming president of UCD’s student union. It is a great victory, not least because she made no secret of her pro-life views or that she is a person of faith. It gives great hope to other students and young people in general, that Ireland does not always have to be…
Sleep out for Simon
Some of the staff and 28 students from Glenstal Abbey School who took part in a 24-hour sleep out and fast on the streets of Limerick, raising over €2,600 for the Simon Community.
‘Factchecker’ forced to change verdict on Catholic schools
Mags Gargan
TheJournal.ie has been forced to change the verdict of its FactCheck on the enrolment policies of Catholic schools following a challenge from the Iona Institute. Iona’s Maria Steen appeared on RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live a few weeks ago to debate the admissions policy of denominational schools. Ms Steen said that with regard to certain measures,…
Bell heralds World Meeting of Families in Waterford
Bishop Phonsie Cullinan and Abigale Betts from Cappoquin at the Cathedral of The Most Holy Trinity, Waterford for the diocesan launch Mass for preparations for the World Meeting of Families 2018, with an icon of the Holy Family and a bell which will visit the parishes of the diocese to promote the event. Photo: John…
Religion is constantly undermined in Irish public life
One of the country’s large general hospitals recently made a small but very significant change. It renamed all of its wards. Previously the wards had saints’ names: ‘St Michael’s Ward’, ‘St Brigid’s Ward’, etc. Such names were commonplace in many hospitals around Ireland and I suppose the practice of naming wards – and indeed whole…
Out and About
John Paul II Awards presented in Cavan Ten students from St Aidan’s Comprehensive School in Cootehill were presented with their Pope John Paul II Awards for 2016 at a special ceremony in the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Cavan. The awards were presented by Fr Ultan McGoohan, Diocesan Director of Pastoral Services, assisted by Carina…
Let’s hope new Nuncio will reach out to the young
Niall Guinan Archbishop Charles Brown was an encouraging presence in Ireland, particularly for young people, writes Niall Guinan The 37th chapter of Ezekiel contains the famous description of the prophet placed in a “valley of dry bones,” a scene of total despair and desolation. There could hardly be a more fitting image for the environment…