The freedom to shop affects other people’s freedom to be with their families on a day of rest, writes David Quinn It is like a blast from the past, or if you prefer, something from a more genteel age; the Croatian government has decided to impose heavy restrictions on Sunday trading. Shops will be allowed…
Even the greatest believer goes through the tunnel of doubt John the Baptist, hearing of Jesus’ works, is seized with doubt as to whether he is really the Messiah or not. In fact, he imagined a stern Messiah who would come and do justice with power by chastising sinners. Now, on the contrary, Jesus has…
Ireland’s former football manager gives his two cents on the entwining of sport and politics, writes Chai Brady Growing up in an Irish Catholic family in the North of Ireland, football star turned manager Martin O’Neill said he would pray the rosary every evening – his mother being a strong influence in this – and…
France’s Catholic bishops have set up what they believe to be the world’s first major national church court, replacing a previous network of local tribunals, although sexual abuse cases involving children will still be referred to the Vatican. “As a community of believers, the Church has developed a comprehensive legal system, which includes the right…
There’s a widespread interest today in the possible existence of life on other planets. With the development of telescopes that are able to reveal things our eyes have never seen and the expansion of human efforts in space, questions have naturally been asked about who, or what, we might bump into “out there”. Many claim…
A group of Spanish Catholics sent a petition to the Madrid cardinal and Pope Francis’ ambassador, asking help to prevent the removal of a giant cross and a Benedictine monastery from a civil war cemetery and memorial outside Madrid. “These Benedictines carry out an invaluable task: They pray for the people buried there, for peace…
The diet and fitness expert tells Ruadhán Jones about her faith, family and Christmas traditions It’s not very often that you’ll hear a diet and fitness expert and instructor saying, “it’s quite good to over-indulge”, but that’s what Rosemary Conley CBE told me. Of course, to put this in context, the famous originator of the…
Christmas can be a time to pray for loved ones abroad or who have passed away, Eileen Dunne tells Chai Brady Veteran media newsreader and household face Eileen Dunne will miss being in the hot seat when breaking news stories land but plans to take it easy and enjoy Christmas after her retirement from RTÉ.…
by Barb Umberger Parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Minneapolis, about half of whom are deaf, had the chance to attend Mass celebrated by the first deaf man ordained a Roman Catholic priest in the US, Fr Tom Coughlin. About 80 people attended the Mass last month at the small church, a…
Pilgrims are breathing fresh life into the city of Christ’s birth, writes Judith Sudilovsky On the third Sunday of Advent the pews of St Catherine’s Church were overflowing, with families and young children, teenagers and older parishioners attending Mass in anticipation of Christmas. We go out, we go shopping, we have places where we eat…
David Quinn
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones