On Ash Wednesday I listened to a thoughtful homily about how we should approach Lent, in a personal capacity. The priest emphasised that we didn’t have to quit something for Lent – we could also embrace something, by way of good works, for example, instead. We could devise a schedule for ourselves on what we…
Both Christians and Muslims fast, pray and give alms. Can we learn anything from one another, asks Fr Michael Barnes SJ At this moment of the Church’s year, as Christians begin the long period of Lent, my thoughts always turn to Muslim friends and to various conversations which I have enjoyed on the subject of…
For many people, the Covid-19 lockdowns and the seemingly never-ending restrictions which were imposed on the public, have faded into memory. The Government, seemingly eager to avoid examining any mistakes made, have been foot-dragging on the establishment of an inquiry into its pandemic response, even though the period saw measures enforced which were unprecedented in…
A Catholic prayer app soared to the number three spot on the Apple App Store on Ash Wednesday, overtaking the usual top dogs TikTok, Google, Netflix, Spotify and Instagram. First launched in 2018, ‘Hallow’ has managed millions of downloads and reached around 150 countries. Last year, the app surpassed 100 million prayers completed through the service. Hallow…
The Society of Jesus said it will open a new internal procedure on Jesuit Fr Marko Rupnik after receiving abuse accusations with a “very high” degree of credibility against the artist. According to a February 21 statement on the Jesuit website, the accusations the religious order received span from 1985 to 2018 and include claims…
One of the more curious and eclectic sections on the Vatican’s 1995 list of important films is the ‘art’ section. At least one of their choices, however, is unlikely to be controversial as it is often considered the greatest ‘arthouse’ film of all time – Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 sci-fi extravaganza, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Although…
The three pillars of Lent – prayer, fasting, almsgiving – enrich our spiritual life during this penitential season. But they can also be challenging. Saints can shed light on our journey. So let’s begin with almsgiving and look to St Katharine Drexel as a profound example of the depth to which this practice calls us.…
The youngest member of the American boy band, Hanson, best known for their 1997 hit single ‘MMMbop’ was ordained a deacon in the Georgian Orthodox Christian Church in February. Zac Hanson’s ordination to the diaconate took place at St Nina’s monastery in Maryland, after he apparently converted to Orthodox Christianity more than a decade ago,…
Following a devastating arson attack on a historic church in Germany — and several prior incidents in Paris, France — a European watchdog has raised concerns over hate crimes targeting Christian churches on the continent. The 1,000-year-old Church of the Elevation of the Cross in Wissen, a community in the Westerwald region, was severely damaged…
The legislative effort to delay broadening Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) eligibility to individuals solely afflicted with a mental illness by a year is forging ahead, but there are signs Canadians are not comfortable with moving forward. Bill C-39 passed the House of Commons February 15, and one day later it was read for the…
Mary Kenny
Ruadhán Jones