‘Respect dignity of farm workers’, says Pope Pope Francis has appealed for migrant farm workers, who pick crops with bad conditions and low pay, in Italy and worldwide to be respected and not exploited during the pandemic. The Holy Father made a fervent appeal for the respect of the dignity of workers who have called…
There is such a thing as a good death, a clean one, a death that, however sad, leaves behind a sense of peace. I have been witness to it many times. Sometimes this recognised explicitly when someone dies, sometimes unconsciously. It is known by its fruit. I remember sitting with a man dying of cancer…
Like many people, I am acutely feeling the absence of Sunday Mass. Parishes are doing their best, and there is a wealth of creativity in many of the Masses that are being streamed online. But it isn’t the same – not really. I am blessed where I live that churches remain open as places of…
Family behind well-known hotel launch cookbook for Childline Many families who are under lockdown are re-discovering the art of cooking – with varying degrees of success. Now, the family behind the famous Gougane Barra Hotel in Ballingeary, Co. Cork have launched a cookbook in aid of Childline. Chef Katy Lucey and daughters Jane and Ali…
The Abbess of Andalusia: Flannery O’Connor’s Spiritual Journey by Lorraine V. Murray (St Benedict Press, Charlotte NC; kindle-edition, £7.46 through Amazon UK) Many people are finding the restrictions caused by Covid-19 somewhat tiresome. In these circumstances it would be difficult to recommend a more appropriate read that this biography of Flannery O’Connor. The distinguished American writer…
Uganda Martyrs Day postponed due to Covid-19 The Annual Martyrs Day celebrations in Uganda that were set for June 3 have been postponed due to the coronavirus. The decision to defer the celebrations was taken by the bishops at the request of the Catholic diocese of Masaka. “Even if the current lockdown is eased it…
I am grateful for a recent email from Dr Una Hunt telling me that Charles Villiers Stanford’s opera The Veiled Prophet [of Khurassan] is now available to view on the RTÉ Player. The recording was made at last year’s Wexford Festival when David Brophy conducted its single performance. Excepting Polish baritone Simon Mechlieski as the…
Dear Editor, How to sad to read [IC 7/5/20] that Pope emeritus Benedict XVI feels that there has been an attempt to silence him in retirement. There has certainly been a sense from some ideologically driven voices within the Church to present him in opposition to his successor Pope Francis. Unfortunately, this has come from…
I’ve never been that much of a lover of Barbara Streisand’s music or acting but I have been a long-time fan of Leonard Cohen and have fond memories of seeing him perform in Dublin’s 3 Arena. What connects them apart from music is their Jewish heritage and this was explored with Michael Comyn by historian…
Singers and musicians from Christian churches across Ireland are being asked to join together in a virtual tribute and blessing for frontline workers that will be released at the end of this month. At a local level, participants are asked to select a facility which provides an essential service and to dedicate their rendition of…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Michael Kelly
Brendan O’Regan
Chai Brady