The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. I will always remember the first time I had to preach to a Sunday Mass congregation. All the prayers at Mass were then in Latin which very few understood, and the priest had his back to the people most of the time. I turned around to face…
In brief
Polish Catholic bishops’ leader: Church supports those opting for Covid-19 vaccine The president of Poland’s Catholic bishops’ conference said last Thursday that the Church supports those who opt to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki issued the statement July 8 as the Polish government seeks to expand its vaccination program ahead of a potential fourth wave…
Family News
Austrian man bitten by snake as he sat on the toilet An Austrian had a nightmarish morning when a python slid through his drains and bit him as he sat on the toilet, Reuters reported. The 65-year-old in the city of Graz turned around shortly after 6 am to see a 1.6-metre albino reticulated python…
Recent books in brief
I am with you still: Faith reflections from a Covid-19 World edited with a series of reflections by John Quinn, foreword by Donal Dorr (Veritas, €12.99/£11.70) In his new book popular writer John Quinn has drawn together some 18 people of all kinds from the corners of Ireland to give thought to the situation we have…
Death penalty and abortion cannot be compared
Dear Editor, Breda O’Brien suggests that if President Joe Biden is to be excommunicated then William Barr, President Trump’s Attorney General should also be excommunicated because of his support for the death penalty [IC 01/07/2020]. While I totally support Breda in her opposition to the death penalty, I contend that there is no comparison with…
Hundreds gather outside hospital to greet recovering Pope
Pilgrims and well-wishers gathered at Rome’s Gemelli hospital to greet Pope Francis as he made his first public appearance in a week after undergoing intestinal surgery. Appearing on the 10th floor balcony of his suite of rooms at the hospital July 11, the Pope was greeted with applause and shouts of Viva il Papa (Long…
Pope Francis in ‘good condition’ after surgery
Pope Francis is in “good general condition, alert and breathing spontaneously,” after undergoing colon surgery at the weekend the Vatican has confirmed. “The surgery for diverticular stenosis performed the evening of July 4 involved a left hemicolectomy and lasted about three hours,” a statement from the Holy See Press Office said. “A stay of about…
Knock novena falls victim to Covid-19 for second year
The iconic Knock novena set for August will not now go ahead, the second year it has been affected by Covid-19 restrictions. The event – which brings upwards of 150,000 people to the Co. Mayo shrine every year – had been due to take place from August 14-22. Fr Richard Gibbons, parish priest of Knock…
Church vents its disquiet over First Communion ban
Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Bishops have expressed their disappointment and frustration with the ‘political’ decision to ban sacraments, despite assurances from State officials that places of worship continue to be safe. Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin Diocese told The Irish Catholic that the announcement came “completely out of the blue” and that it has…
The need for reflection in a world where anxiety and stress seem to be endemic
Following in the footsteps of St Patrick is an ideal way to find peace and solace, writes Martina Purdy When I left the convent after five years, I left behind a life rich in silence, and was warned by a friend to be careful in a world that had become extremely busy. “It’s the age…