The Order of Malta has been commended by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for its commitment to alleviating social and spiritual suffering throughout the world. “The care of the sick and the troubled and the marginalised is an essential dimension of the Christian life and of the life of the Church. The Order of Malta and its members…
Pope Francis is a well-known soccer fan. His favourite team is San Lorenzo de Almagro, one of the most important teams in Argentina, and the Pontiff still keeps his membership card for the team. However, thanks to the efforts of an Irish priest, Pope Francis may find a new love for the GAA, with the…
Dear Editor, The recent media and political reports about the young pregnant mother detained under the Mental Health Act 2001 show a large lack of knowledge of what suicidal ideation is and how mental health law works around it. If any person arrives to A&E in an actively suicidal state they are assessed quickly and…
Recognising that “all people are born with inherent equal dignity and worth and have a fundamental right to life” is at the heart of human rights, the Vatican’s UN nuncio has said. Speaking to Latin American leaders at the Organisation of American States’ general assembly, Archbishop Bernardito Auza voiced concerns over how “the right to…
This generation has lost the “urgency to spread the Gospel”, which was the drive for thousands of Irish missionaries, according to the Bishop of Derry. Speaking at a Mass to celebrate the golden jubilee of St Aengus’ Church in Burt, Co. Donegal, Bishop Donal McKeown said the “community of disciples that gathers in our churches…
Bishop Denis Nulty has laid out his blueprint for the future of the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin in the face of the growing shortage of priests. “The present situation of the shortage of vocations, the age profile of the priests and the stress associated with such realities needs serious reflection,” Bishop Nulty said at…
The grounds of Clonard Monastery in Belfast are about to undergo an “aesthetically pleasing” transformation, as the decades-old barbed wire on top of the exterior walls are to be replaced with a pallet-style fence. The barbed wire, which was added to the walls during the Troubles in order to protect the Redemptorist community who live…
Des Hanafin will have been an extremely familiar figure to many of the readers of this newspaper down the years. He was a long-serving Fianna Fáil Senator and a founder and the long-time Chairman of the Pro-Life Campaign. Des died last week, aged 85. He had been unwell for a long time but was still…
Events to help families confront and deal with challenging family issues will be launched by the Family Centre at Knock Shrine next month. The programme from July 10–15 will cover keeping the faith in difficult times, coping with grief, overcoming addiction and more in daily, evening and morning workshops with guest speakers. A Mass and…
Nobody reading this review is likely to have heard of Hugh Mahon. So why does he merit a biography – in fact a projected two-volume biography? The book to hand is the first instalment, with the second to follow in the not-too-distant future. Mahon was born near Tullamore in 1857, and lived in Canada and…
Mags Gargan
David Quinn