Dom Mark Patrick Hederman OSB discusses the deafness of modern humanity to mythology I suppose my appreciation of myth must come from not having been to school myself until I was nine years old. This allowed me time to experience the world as a child in the way a child naturally relates to it. Imagination…
Month: August 2019
Flute band ‘exploits tension’ at Apprentice Boys parade – bishop
The Bishop of Derry has said there will always be attempts to “exploit tension”, after a flute band wore Parachute Regiment insignia during the annual Apprentice Boys march. The ‘Derry Day parade’ which took place over the weekend attracted up to 145 bands with 8,000 people taking part. Members of the Clydevalley Flute Band from…
Yet another clash between Catholics and ‘cultural Catholics’
Too often a secular mindset is brought to bear upon the funeral which compromises the sacred character of the event writes David Quinn Three years ago, the Vatican issued a document reiterating that Catholics should not scatter the cremated ashes of their loved ones or keep them in an urn at home. The Congregation…
Leaving Cert Grades don’t define your worth – chaplain
Regardless of what results young people have received in their Leaving Cert exams this week, it’s important to remember that grades don’t define one’s worth, an Irish chaplain has said. Tens of thousands of students received their Leaving Certificate results on Tuesday and around 58,787 people are awaiting the release of CAO offers today. Speaking…
Indian nun to fight in court after questionable dismissal
An Indian Catholic nun was dismissed from her Kerala-based congregation for violation of its norms, but the 54-year-old said she plans to fight the action in court. Sr Lucy Kalapura, a member of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, maintained that she was dismissed from the order on August 5 for publicly seeking action against a bishop…
Are objective moral values real?
Questions of Faith Plenty of secular accounts pertaining to morality co-exist in the world today – some hold that objective moral values are real; others that moral actions can be reduced down to evolutionary behaviour; and many that morals don’t exist at all but have been created to allow for a functioning society. In opposition…
Ancient pilgrim path walk offers ‘escape’
In response to the recent revival of interest in walking Ireland’s pilgrim paths the third annual pilgrim walk has been launched in Cashel, taking place from August 24-31. The five ancient routes which will be walked over this period are: St Finbarr’s Pilgrim Path, Co. Cork; Cnoc na dTobar, Co. Kerry; Cosán na Naomh, Co. Kerry; St Kevin’s Way,…
More than 150,000 to descend on Knock for 140th anniversary
More than 150,000 people are set to descend on Knock for their annual Novena, with this year said to have special features as it celebrates 140 years since the Apparition. The novena began this week on Wednesday and featured a talk from former Taoiseach John Bruton. It runs from August 14-21 and includes speakers such…
Nigeria diocese facing Islamic militia attacks says: ‘Enough is enough!’
Letter from Nigeria An embattled Catholic diocese in southeastern Nigeria facing a mounting wave of violent attacks from Islamic militias has declared “enough is enough”, demanding that “bad” members of the largely Muslim Fulani tribe be “flushed out” of the area and that local self-protection groups be armed to provide their own security. Bishop…
Bishop criticises adults who give alcohol to teens
The bishop of the Diocese of Elphin has criticised adults who facilitate underage drinking by giving or selling it to young people. Bishop Kevin Doran mentioned that a number of young people were drinking at a summer festival in Sligo over the weekend on the diocese’s Facebook page. He said: “The streets were full of…


Chai Brady
David Quinn
Colm Fitzpatrick




John L. Allen Jr.
