To say that President Michael D. Higgins has caused dismay among the Irish missionary community would be to put it mildly. Which is ironic given that many of the same missionaries now scratching their heads at Mr Higgins’ ill-judged intervention on the recent massacre in Nigeria would have traditionally greatly admired his work. Mr Higgins…
Dear Editor, One hears repeated reference to the notion of change of ownership of the Church. As written some commentary proposes to wrest the ownership from the ordained ministry and give it to the laity. However, one petition in the Sacrifice of the Mass, to wit, “look not on our sins but on the faith…
Living with Motor Neurone Disease: A complete guide edited by Dr Marie Murray, in collaboration with the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (Atrium/Cork University Press, €14.95/£12.95) Though first recognised back in the 19th Century, Motor Neurone Disease became more familiar a century later through the widely publicised experiences of the disease by such people as…
As someone who is regularly tasked with preaching, I am always looking for examples of people who live out their faith in practical ways, loving God and neighbour in the bits and pieces of life. Within the last year I came across two films which I found inspiring. The first film, which I discovered by…
Ireland urgently needs trained teams of people to lead so-called ‘deliverance ministry’ for people who feel they are oppressed by evil spirits, a leading priest-exorcist has warned. Fr Pat Collins CM, who has worked in this ministry for many years, told The Irish Catholic that the need is pressing and that while a number of…
Staff reporter A new book on the Holy Land aimed at encouraging pilgrims to follow in the footsteps of Christ will be launched in Dublin next week. An Irish Pilgrimage Guide to the Holy Land by Editor of The Irish Catholic Michael Kelly explores a variety of themes, from an in-depth look at the important sites…
The Archdiocese of Dublin’s synodal report says that many “were moved by the Spirit” to call for the consideration of female priests, “so that the Church may be enriched by their deeper participation in leadership and governance roles”. The country’s largest diocese has released its synodal synthesis, with the four major trends having emerged being…
The Provincial Leader of the OLA Sisters has condemned the brutal attack on a Catholic church in southwest Nigeria over the weekend, which left dozens of people dead. Sr Kathleen McGarvey, who has worked on peacebuilding in Nigeria for many years, described the attack on Pentecost Sunday as “an absolute nightmare”. “It is very painful…
Prayers were offered in parishes across Ireland at the weekend in thanksgiving for the diocesan phase of the universal synod, with Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin describing it as the “largest consultation ever to take place in the Catholic Church”. “I am grateful to all who participated for their constructive engagement in the many local…
Staff Reporter Rumours that Pope Francis might retire have been fuelled by an announcement that he will be attending a feast initiated by a 13th Century pope who himself resigned. Speculation that the 85-year-old might follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Benedict XVI and step down from his post was prompted in early May when he…
Michael Kelly
Peter Costello
Chai Brady