I feel blessed under lockdown that within the allocated two kilometres from my home in Dublin are two beautiful churches which remain open for prayer despite this pandemic. As part of the permitted daily exercise, I always make a short visit to either Holy Cross in Dundrum or the Church of St John the Evangelist in…
Japan diocese appointment surprises bishop Bishop Josep Maria Abella has said he was surprised to be announced new bishop of Fukuoka in Japan when almost all Church activities are suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 70-year-old Spanish priest said he was “perplexed” when the apostolic nuncio to Japan, Archbishop Joseph Chennoth, told him about…
Dear Editor, I welcome David Quinn’s excellent article on the killer, north and south of Ireland, which is not the virus [IC 09/04/2020]. As he states, many, many more will be killed by this virus compared to those through the coronavirus. Where is the outcry about this? Why the silence from so many quarters which are more…
Cork quizmasters raise over €11k for charities An online quiz set up by two cork natives has raised over €11,500 for charities since lockdown began. Patrick Ahern and Colm Lougheed set up and present a quiz live every Tuesday, it is free to join and they encourage people to donate to a selected charity every…
To combat the effects of lockdown, Knock Shrine will broadcast pilgrimage Masses every Sunday at 3 pm, it has been announced. The Masses will be celebrated each weekend “for the pilgrimage groups that traditionally travel…for their own celebrations”. The pilgrimage will include Rosary at 2.30 pm, followed by Mass and Benediction at 3 pm. The…
Ruadhán Jones Humanity has failed to take care of the earth and its inhabitants, sinning against God and his gift of creation, Pope Francis has warned. Celebrating Earth Day, which fell during the “Easter season of renewal, let us pledge to love and esteem the beautiful gift of the earth, our common home, and…
Ruadhán Jones The Pope’s right-hand man on family issues has insisted that it was necessary to cancel global Catholic events due to the coronavirus pandemic. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life spoke to Vatican News Radio about the decision to postpone the World Meeting of Families and World Youth…
Pope Francis began his morning Mass on Monday by praying for political leaders and calling on them to put the welfare of their people above their party’s interests during the coronavirus pandemic. “We pray today for the men and women who have a vocation to politics; politics is a high form of charity,” he said,…
As the world slowly starts to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a risk it will be struck by an even worse virus – that of selfish indifference, Pope Francis has warned. This dangerous virus is “spread by the thought that life is better if it is better for me and that everything will…
Exclusive Excerpt Sr Colette – Ireland Sr Colette is Mother Abbess of the Poor Clare nun’s in Galway. As a young woman she graduated as an accountant, had a healthy social life and a few boyfriends. After watching a video on Medjugorje she became intrigued by the story of the apparitions and ended up visiting…
Michael Kelly