Q: How could Jesus’ death ‘cleanse us from our sins’ and ‘assure our entrance into Heaven’? If that is the case, why do we need confession? A: First, since it pertains to some of the deepest mysteries of our faith, I think the exact ‘mechanics’ of how Jesus’ passion and death redeemed the fallen human race…
My colleague was not impressed with my attacks on Church authorities, as he saw it. “Isn’t it bad enough that you’re having a go at our poor bishops,” said he, “without taking potshots at the Holy Father as well.” He had read my musings on Rome’s appointment of non-local priests to dioceses and was not…
On Thursday, April 3 2025, the International Theological Commission published a statement on this anniversary entitled Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour: 1700th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325-2025). The statement emphasises that the faith of Nicaea is the faith common to all Christians. “The year 2025 is therefore an invaluable opportunity to…
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople offered a hopeful perspective on healing the millennium-old division between the Orthodox and Catholic churches, suggesting the historic 1054 “Great Schism” was not a sudden break, but a gradual process with tensions that “are not insurmountable.” “Of course, problems have accumulated over a thousand years. But we are full…
The Rupnik case continues to shake the Vatican and the Jesuit order to this day. The priest and artist is alleged to have sexually and spiritually abused numerous women. The trial against him is progressing slowly. The head of the worldwide Jesuit order is hoping for a swift conclusion to the Vatican proceedings against the…
Criticism of the Catholic Church: victims of abuse are demanding a different system of compensation. The Bishops’ Conference’s Advisory Council for Victims has now reiterated this demand. The Advisory Council of Victims of Abuse at the German Bishops’ Conference has criticised the voluntary church system of compensation. It may seem like a lot when Conference…
He is more important to the Pope than many a curial cardinal: his nurse Strappetti, who saved his life. Since the Pope’s serious lung disease, he has been more visible than ever. And makes decisions. When Pope Francis appeared in public for a few minutes on 23 March and 6 April, a man in a…
Bishop Denis Nulty in a recent address to the Catholic Primary School Managers Association (CPSMA) said that while Catholic schools are inclusive and welcome all “we must also ensure they remain Catholic.” Asking how might we support our schools remaining Catholic in the fullest sense he said: “It may mean, being part of a fair…
Healthcare chaplains from across Ireland gathered for their annual symposium in Dublin last week. In its third year, the event gathered 137 chaplains from all the main hospitals, hospices and other care facilities in the Republic and Northern Ireland at The Gibson Hotel on April 2. Fr Dwayne Gavin, Head of Mission at Bon Secours…
Lough Derg’s Prior Msgr La Flynn paid tribute to local sculptor Brendan McGloin who was the responsible for sculpting the threshold stone at St Patrick’s Basilica in the Station Island. Mr McGloin died on April 4 and was buried in St Ninnidh’s Cemetery, Bundoran on April 7. Msgr Flynn said that “apart from his widely…
Renata Milán Morales
Renata Steffens