Philosophy should be understood as a manner of living and not just an exercise done in an armchair or a classroom writes Dr Philip Gonzales It is often said that philosophy deals with the deepest human realities such as birth and death and this is, indeed, true. Moreover, it is also true, as Socrates famously…
Frozen in time, like a “musical Pompeii,” the 221 remaining original organ pipes from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem may fill a gap of knowledge of more than three centuries in the history of the organ and its cultural context, medieval church culture, music and technology. “This organ dates from the 12th century…
Letter from Beirut Doreen Abi Raad A year after the catastrophic Beirut port blast, the wounds of the people in Lebanon are scarred by the memory of the tragedy, and cries for justice escalate. This year, August 4 was declared a national day of mourning in Lebanon. Clutching a framed photograph of her husband Elie,…
Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines signed documents with the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), or Philippine Independent Church, “for more ecumenical cooperation amidst diversity.” In a joint statement signed on August 3, leaders of both churches said that together they “ask and pray for mutual forgiveness for any injuries inflicted in the past.” “We shall strive for…
The board of directors of the Cuban Conference of Men and Women Religious reported last Tuesday that following the July 11 protests of the island’s communist government “there are still detainees awaiting trial, under investigation and others punished with very severe penalties.” The conference has been offering legal advice to detainees and spiritual and psychological…
Vatican: ‘Killer robots’ pose threat to innocent civilians The use of “killer robots” and other lethal autonomous weapons systems violate international treaties because innocent civilians could be erroneously targeted, the Vatican said during a UN meeting in Geneva. The potential of having “swarms of ‘kamikaze’ mini drones” and other advanced weaponry using artificial intelligence raises…
Donegal ram sells for record €44,000 A farmer from Co Donegal has sold a ram for €44,000, which is the highest amount ever paid for a male sheep at a sale in Ireland, RTÉ reports. The record-breaking, seven-month-old Suffolk ram attracted notice when it went on sale in Wicklow. It was sold by Ballybofey, Co.…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. While the Assumption of Mary has been celebrated for over a thousand years, the doctrine of her assumption was officially defined as late as 1950. To mark the occasion, the famous novelist, Graham Greene, who had been received into the Catholic Church shortly before that, was asked…
Dear Editor, As Clomaney country music festival, Fleadh Cheoil, Galway races, and the ploughing championships are all cancelled, I decided to do something this summer. So instead of a staycation I did a praycation. So off to Holy Cross Abbey in Rostrevor, Co. Down for a week. The experience was silent especially with the monks…
New allegations against David Haas prompt publisher to cut ties with composer A top publisher of hymns will stop publishing works by David Haas after receiving additional allegations of sexual misconduct against the embattled Catholic composer. “We have suspended our publishing and sponsorship relationship with Mr Haas and have also removed his music, books, and…