Writing to his peers, Catholics who have reached a venerable age like he has, Pope Francis told older Catholics that God is close to them and still has plans for their lives. “I was called to become the Bishop of Rome when I had reached, so to speak, retirement age, and thought I would not…
Letter from Rome In a seemingly dramatic decision this week, three-quarters of America’s bishops voted to move ahead with a controversial document on the Eucharist despite objections that it could disrupt Church unity and set the stage for a fatal showdown with US President Joe Biden. The key word in that sentence, however, is “seemingly”,…
Joyce the Student: University College 1898-1902, Dublin by John Kelly (Gleoiteog Press, €15.50/£12.99) During June an air of Joycean enthusiasm descends on Dublin, with all kinds of events — and even non-events in the eyes of some — taking place. This year, however, a local writer makes a real contribution by the publication of a book,…
In a 7-2 decision June 17, the US Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the Affordable Care Act, saying the states that sued over the law did not have the legal right to do so. In the case, California v. Texas, the plaintiffs – 18 Republican states and two individuals – argued that the law’s…
The UK’s Anscombe Bioethics Centre has hit out against the UK government’s proposal to make the Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for care home staff and other healthcare workers. The Anscombe Bioethics Centre is the national Catholic bioethics centre for the United Kingdom and Ireland, and is based in Oxford. In a statement, Director David Jones said…
Myanmar Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon urged citizens Sunday to hold onto hope as fighting in the country escalates, telling them to pray for the leaders of the nation’s violent coup and insisting that hatred will never lead to a solution. Pointing to the day’s Gospel reading in which Jesus calms a storm threatening to…
Sweet Treats This is a twist on a classic crumble flavour – added orange gives it a lovely citrusy kick. Rhubarb is right in season at the moment so now is the best time to enjoy it. Its delicate pink colour makes it a perfect centrepiece for your summer dinner party. If you want to…
A Colombian priest who dedicated years of his life to reducing violence at soccer stadiums died in Bogotá, where he was mourned at a church by hundreds of parishioners, including some wearing jerseys of the city’s two biggest soccer clubs. Msgr Alirio López, 66, was one of the first public personalities in Colombia to address…
Ruadhán Jones speaks to director Marco Pontecorvo on bringing the Virgin’s apparition to the big screen W hen you are adapting an event that is the subject of great devotion, it’s a hard balance to strike between giving people what they expect and making a film that tells you something new. The temptation can be…
Personal Profile Included in the Queen’s recent birthday honours list, much to her surprise, was Ms Maureen Devine MBE of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust. Though she doesn’t consider herself a Holy Joe, her almost 25 years volunteering in a number of capacities for the trust were devoted to the works of mercy characteristic of the…
John L. Allen Jr.
Peter Costello
Ruadhán Jones