ECB moves closer to digital Euro The European Central Bank took the next step towards a “digital euro” last week by launching the project’s exploration phase, but questions remain about potential pitfalls and benefits for euro zone citizens, AFP reported. The move comes as the Covid-19 pandemic has hastened a shift away from cash, and…
Month: July 2021
Award-winning young musicians
Last time around I mentioned the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and its Music Bursary as well as this year’s principal winner – Phoebe White whose cellist brother, Killian, received the award in 2018. But there are two smaller, yet significant, sections to the main bursary. One is the €5,000 Jago Award, the other being the…
The decision to become a priest
Notebook “Why did you become a priest?” Brendan lives not too far from Washington DC and is the middle of three children. I baptised him a short few years ago and each week with his parents and sisters, he joins the parish of Kilmovee for Sunday Mass via webcam. This led him, on one occasion…
Euphemistic language used during assisted suicide debate
The first time I heard of the town of Arundel in England it was in connection with the intriguing poem ‘An Arundel Tomb’ by Philip Larkin. Unfortunately the tomb, in nearby Chichester, with its romantic husband and wife statues did not figure in last Sunday’s Songs of Praise (BBC One). We did learn about the…
In brief
South African bishops call for an end to violence and looting Catholic bishops in South Africa have called for an end to violence and looting that has led to the deaths of 72 people. People were trampled to death this week amid looting and rioting in the streets of two South African provinces, Gauteng and…
Govt decision on Sacrament ban is a ‘mockery’
Dear Editor, Relating to Bishop Tom Deenihan’s comments [IC 01/07/2021] that the Government has directed the Catholic Church to cancel First Holy Communions and Confirmations, I have said it before and I will say it again the Catholic Church’s religious practices and those that attend them are of no interest and therefore not a voting…
Five loaves and two fish
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Today we commence five Sundays when our Gospel is taken from Chapter 6 of John which is all about the bread of life. The symbol of John in art is an eagle which sores high. John begins a chapter with something on ground level such as water…
‘Living faith’ of Brendan Óg O’Dufaigh remembered
The 19-year-old Monaghan GAA player who was killed in a car accident was remembered as a “shining star”, shining on family and loved ones.
Appealing to need for unity, Pope restores limits on pre-Vatican II Mass
Saying he was acting for the good of the unity of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has restored limits on the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal in use before the Second Vatican Council, overturning or severely restricting permissions St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had given to celebrate the…
Primate dubs UK plans for Troubles-era amnesty a ‘betrayal’
The British government’s decision to ban all Troubles-related criminal and civil actions as well as legacy inquests, has been described as “deeply disheartening” and a “betrayal of trust” by the Primate of All-Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh. He said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s comments in the House of Commons on Wednesday July 14,…




Brendan O’Regan



Ruadhán Jones

Chai Brady