In the screen documentary about Edna O’Brien’s life, The Blue Road, made shortly before her death, the Co. Clare author said that one of her regrets was that she’d been so hopeless at managing money. She’d earned plenty of it, but she’d often been broke just the same. I’ve experienced, at a lesser level, similar…
Almost half of Kilmore Diocese’s priests are over 70 years old, Bishop Martin Hayes said when announcing summer clergy appointments. This means that “the task of providing priests for each parish into the future in Kilmore Diocese is challenging and amounts to a crisis.” The bishop, however, sees a opportunity in the crisis. He said…
On Monday, over 30 young people aged 13-20 partook in the Croagh Patrick Youth Pilgrimage led by Fr Eamon Roche. Many involved were from a local youth faith camp, Camp Creidamh and from the local Diocese of Cloyne. Deacon John McCarthy assisted Fr Roche throughout the day. He explained that pilgrimage is about transformation. “We’re…
The Catholic Church is not seeking to advance its own interests within the European Union but to help the bloc remain faithful to the values on which it was founded, COMECE President Bishop Mariano Crociata has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic after meeting Taoiseach Micheál Martin as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council…
A weekend of faith, thanksgiving, and celebration brought together local parishioners, international visitors, and members of the Koinonia John the Baptist community as they marked two significant milestones in the life of the community. The first occasion was the ordination to the priesthood of one of Koinonia’s consecrated brothers, Fr Esteban Beltran Rosales, while the…
“From a vocations perspective, I was heartened by the desire that is in the hearts of young people”, said keynote speaker and Down and Connor vocations director Fr Conor McGrath about the ‘Made for More’ youth conference which took place at Whitefriar Street Church on July 12. In his talk during the conference, Fr McGrath…
In last week’s Irish Catholic, Fr Martin Delaney wrote a beautiful tribute to his late parents as he looked back on 40 years of his life as a priest. It was a powerful testimony of what we are reminded of in every celebration of baptism – that parents are the first educators and influencers of…
Jesus invites us to give and not count the cost, writes Fr Chris Hayden ‘Zero-sum game’ is a term used in gaming theory and economics, to describe a situation in which one person’s gain is perceived to be another person’s loss. Sports and games are, pretty much by definition, zero-sum, because the victory of one…
“The targeting of the Muslim community through crude symbols and threats of violence by sinister forces undermines these Gospel principles of respect and compassion as well as freedom of religion which is a fundamental principle of a democratic society,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, and Archbishop John…
Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a time of significant challenges and uncertainty, both within the EU and globally. Calls for responses to emerging issues and for reforms of existing policies are growing stronger. In this context, we recognise the efforts of the Irish Presidency to advance key initiatives…
Mary Kenny
Renata Steffens