There’s something iconic about the Confession box that draws attention, an intensity about the confessing and forgiveness of sins that makes one wonder why more people don’t have recourse to it. The Confessors (RTÉ last week, BBC One on Monday, BBC Two on Tuesday) was an absorbing and insightful programme, uneven at times but with…
Among the new restrictions announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin this week was a limit of ten people at a funeral in the Republic. In the North, funerals are limited to 25. The restriction to ten people at a funeral was cruel and – mercifully – quickly changed. At the same time that only ten people…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. It was an attempt to start an argument with Jesus, to disconcert him, when one of the pharisees asked for his opinion on the greatest commandment. Jesus cut through all their commentaries and debates with a simple and challenging answer: “You must love the Lord your God…
A priest based in Wales has vowed that he would rather be arrested than refuse to administer the sacraments to Catholics. It comes after the Welsh authorities announced this week that they would follow the lead of authorities in the Republic and ban public worship. It makes the Republic and Wales the only places in…
The recent closure of Cineworld provided proof, not that it was needed, that the film industry is on its knees today. But it’s an ill wind that blows nobody good. Online companies have made a killing, as I said a fortnight ago in this page, due to the large numbers of people watching films from…
Vatican criminal trial begins against priests accused in abuse case Fr Gabriele Martinelli, 28, has heard a Vatican criminal court accuse him of repeatedly sexually abusing a younger student at a minor seminary inside the Vatican. Msgr Enrico Radice, 71, former rector of the seminary, heard the court accuse him of obstructing the investigation by…
Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has hit out against those organising anti-mask protests and warned that any restrictions on the right to public worship must be minimal. Speaking this evening (Thursday) at an online gathering of the Dublin Council of Churches, Dr Martin praised the tireless commitment of those – particularly frontline workers – responding…
Irish missionaries who have returned from abroad are rejuvenating the Church here by bringing new life and skills learnt in countries where the Faith is more vibrant, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly has said. He said that Irish parishes and communities can learn a lot from the “wisdom” of missionaries who have worked where the Church is…
Senator Rónán Mullen has challenged the Government over what he has said is its failure to properly address the Chinese abuses of its Uyghur Muslim population. His motion condemning the persecution of the Uyghurs passed in the Seanad without opposition from the Government. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Senator Mullen said about motion, “It’s historic…
Italian teenager Carlo Acutis is “a model of evangelisation and discipleship in the 21st Century”, according to Sacred Heart Missionary Fr Alan Neville. Potentially the first saint with a website and to wear Nikes, Blessed Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis last weekend in Assisi. Fr Neville, formerly the vocation director for the MSC said…
Brendan O’Regan
Michael Kelly
Aubrey Malone
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones