Dear Editor, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin’s reminder that the Society of St Vincent de Paul should not neglect its identity is a vitally important one and something more of our charities would do well to heed. Pope Francis, after all, in his very first Mass as Pope cautioned us against becoming simply a “compassionate NGO”. It’s…
Month: April 2019
Family News and Events
Treasure trove of family fun “An old legend says there is a treasure hidden in Rathbeggan Adventure Park waiting to be found…” organisers of a Meath-based treasure hunt say. “We are excited to announce a Masters of Calm Treasure Hunt family fun day, filled with family games and a chance to win two family tickets…
Performances no less excellent despite being novelties
Pat O’Kelly Three recent events engage an element of novelty. Two involve the RTÉ NSO at the NCH with the third, at nearby St Finian’s Lutheran Church, as part of a Music Network nationwide tour. On their seven-venue stop, German cellist Raphaela Gromes and pianist Julian Riem choose a programme with a strong Italian…
Tragic events make for a memorable Easter
You’d expect religious matters to figure more prominently in the media in Holy Week, and so they did, but I never reckoned on a major fire in Notre Dame Cathedral and the massacre at churches in Sri Lanka. It was blanket coverage of Notre Dame on the Monday night and through Tuesday, but as interest…
From the mouths of the innocent comes wisdom
I can hear it now! A question in a table quiz, 50 years from now: “Which animal is associated with both the first horse since Red Rum to win back to back Grand Nationals and the greatest comeback in golfing history on two consecutive weekends during April 2019?” As I watched Tiger Woods’ extraordinary victory…
Survey: Catholics want Church to invest funds in line with its values
Dennis Sadowski More than 90% of Catholics said they believe that Catholic organisations should invest church funds in ways that are consistent with Church teaching and values, according to results of a new survey. In addition, about 31% of respondents to the survey conducted by Boston-based Catholic Investment Services said that news of clergy…
Priest pleads with political leaders for deal
A Belfast-based priest has urged politicians in the North to use the murder of a 29-year-old journalist as the inspiration to restart talks on a cross-community power-sharing government. Lyra McKee (29) was killed April 18 after a gunman from a dissident paramilitary faction opened fire on the police. She had been covering political unrest in…
Jesus replaced law of revenge with law of love, Pope says
The scales of justice cannot solve everything, especially when it comes to stopping a cycle of evil vengeance, Pope Francis said. “Evil knows revenge and if it is not halted, it risks spreading, suffocating the whole world,” he said on April 24 during his weekly general audience. Christians must forgive and love others even beyond…
Wave of attacks against Christians in Sri Lanka
BREAKING Easter brought no respite from attacks on Christians as up to 156 people were reported killed in a series of attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Hundreds more were injured according to police and hospital sources. At least six explosions have been reported. Three churches in Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa were targeted…
Journalist’s killers are ‘anti-Christ’ says priest
A priest who ministered to a journalist murdered by paramilitaries as she lay dying has described her killers as “anti-Christ”. Lyra McKee was shot on Holy Thursday evening while she covered a riot in the Creggan area of Derry City. Ms McKee (29) was murdered by a gunman who was shooting at the police. The…




Brendan O’Regan





Chai Brady