Dear Editor, In recent times there has been an increase of interest in the ministry of exorcism in the Church. Jason Osborne’s article, ‘Evil One exploiting Covid-19 to bring about fear says famed Dublin exorcist’ [IC 28/01/2021], quoting veteran exorcist Fr Pat Collins, prompts this letter. Is this a clear demonstration of “demonic obsession” where the demon,…
The World of Books by the Books Editor Some weeks ago there was a certain amount of fuss both in Britain and in Ireland about the 60th anniversary of Coronation Street, which first went out on television on December 9, 1960. Bear in mind that the first broadcasts from Montrose only came a year later. So…
I was so taken with Wildlife (Netflix) I bought the book after seeing it. It’s written by Richard Ford, an author I wasn’t familiar with. It’s so beautifully written I went on a trawl for everything else by him afterwards. I urge you to check him out. He writes like Hemingway. I can think of…
Poland must support mothers of disabled, children – bishop After a ban on aborting disabled children came into force, Poland’s Catholic Church urged “all possible help” for pregnant women and single mothers. “It isn’t enough just to implement the law – those governing today, as well as the Church and other groups have a supreme…
Notebook Now there is a question. If Lent is about self-sacrifice, deprivation and slowing things down, then we have had the longest 40 days ever, in the wilderness that is called Covid. So much of what we enjoy, take for granted and rely on for normality in life has been taken away and personal sacrifice…
Last Saturday I had a look at Life on the Rock, the youth-oriented show of US Catholic network EWTN. Though full of good material I felt it wouldn’t appeal that much to young Catholics, except for the most committed. The style is a bit stiff and there needs to be more young voices as well…
Parents are feeling grateful and staff relieved as Saint Declan’s School in Ballsbridge, Dublin prepares to open tomorrow in accordance with Government guidelines. St Declan’s School was founded in 1958 by the Jesuits for children who, for personal or emotional reasons, achieve below their potential in their local schools. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, principal Niamh Corrigan…
Exclusive Myanmar missionary warns poor will suffer most A missionary in Myanmar has warned of imminent “disaster” after the military seized power in a coup this week. The country’s Church leaders have appealed for calm. “All I wanted to do was cry,” the missionary told The Irish Catholic. The missionary – who spoke on condition of…
A Donegal priest has criticised the Irish Government and the EU over the Brexit deal, which he calls a “huge disaster” for Irish fisheries and a “betrayal” of the industry. Fr John Joe Duffy from Creeslough, Co. Donegal, estimated that the deal could cost up to €100 million for Irish fisheries. It will be a…
Police in Northern Ireland are investigating a sectarian hate crime on a Catholic Church in Derry which has been decried as “disgusting” and “disgraceful”. A door of St Mary’s Church in Limavady as well as a standing crucifix on the church grounds were defaced with graffiti which included the names of loyalist paramilitary organisations such…
Peter Costello
Aubrey Malone
Brendan O’Regan
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones