by the editors of Sacred Space (Messenger Publications, €7.95/£6.95) The season of Advent begins at the end of next week, so now is the time to acquire this little seasonal volume, from a long familiar source. Through the prayers and meditations readers will be reminded of the synodal journey on which the people of God…
The Sunday Gospel Today, the last Sunday of the liturgical year is when we celebrate Jesus Christ, the Universal King. The end of the liturgical year anticipates the end of time when “the kingdom of God will come in all its fulness. Then the just will reign with Jesus Christ for ever, glorified in body…
Dear Editor, Many of the reactions to Fr Sheehy’s homilies, including Bishop Browne’s reaction, seem to overlook completely a very important truth, namely, that Jesus Christ preached strongly against sexual sins. In Matthew 5, he warns us that lustful thoughts can lead to damnation and must be avoided even if this involves serious sacrifice. In…
The country’s largest diocese has received an almost €10 million payout from insurance companies to cover money lost due to Covid-19 church closures when collections could not be taken up. The Archdiocese of Dublin’s financial reports for 2021 show that it received €9.4 million as compensation for losses under the business interruption clause of its…
The failure to form an Executive in the North and a lack of political leadership is leaving space for paramilitaries, Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry has warned. He said any decision regarding another Stormont election, set to take place after Christmas, must be taken with a focus on the “common good”. “I think we have…
An Irish theologian has called on Bishop Ray Browne to publicly correct an “egregiously wrong” statement the prelate made about a controversial homily in Listowel, Co. Kerry. Dr Tom Finegan of Mary Immaculate College in Thurles claimed that the bishop’s assertion that the controversial views expressed by Fr Seán Sheehy “do not represent the Christian…
Organisers of a letter from over 500 young Catholics challenging the synod on a perceived desire among young people for liberal reform have been invited to a meeting with the synodal steering committee, The Irish Catholic newspaper understands. The letter, which went viral online after being picked up by Catholic news agencies internationally, was due…
St Macartan’s Church in Augher, Co. Tyrone, has scooped the top prize in the UK’s ‘Church of the Year’ competition for 2022. St Macartan’s, also known as The Forth Chapel, is located in the Clogher Valley, dates from 1838 – 1846 and was once the cathedral of the diocese of Clogher. Speaking to The Irish…
Staff Reporter Plans to reform hate crime laws have sparked widespread opposition, with more than 3,600 submissions from the public, elected representatives, political parties and academics received by Government. Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Laois-Offaly Independent Carol Nolan TD said that there are “serious concerns” around the laws. “In particular I am worried about…
Housing charity the Peter McVerry Trust had 680 active ‘housing first’ tenancies across 14 local authorities by the end of last year. The charity published its annual report on Tuesday and announced it worked with more than 10,000 people in 2021, an increase of almost 30% on the previous year. The charity, which is now active…
Peter Costello
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady