The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Today’s Readings open up the contentious relationship between religion and politics, between the sacred and secular dimensions of life. In the First Reading the political decision of the Babylonian King, Cyrus, unwittingly served the plan of God for the release of the Jewish captives. In today’s Gospel…
French cardinal says book royalties go to abuse victims A French cardinal who resigned as archbishop of Lyon after being acquitted of failing to report clerical sex abuse said the royalties from his new book would go to abuse victims. Cardinal Philippe Barbarin told France’s RTL radio that the Archdiocese of Lyon would distribute the…
The vocations crisis is rooted in a social, cultural and ecclesial landscape that has changed radically in the last 20 years, writes Fr Tomás Surlis The return to seminary this year was particularly challenging, given the current pandemic. However, we approached the challenge with vigour, since the experience of a common life is central to…
Italian media has reported allegations that Cardinal Angelo Becciu transferred several hundred thousand euros from Vatican accounts to an account in Australia during the trial of Cardinal George Pell. The cardinal has not responded to the allegation, which international news outlets have yet to independently corroborate. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Friday that…
The Pope’s new encyclical is a blueprint for a better and more just post-Covid world, writes Caoimhe de Barra Fratelli Tutti, a letter addressed to all people, is an encyclical on human connectedness and follows a series of teachings given by the Pope during his general audiences in August and September which have focused on…
The tomb of Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager who used his computer programming skills to spread devotion to the Eucharist, was opened for veneration before his beatification in Assisi. A statement released by the Diocese of Assisi said the tomb will remain open for veneration until October 17. Venerable Acutis’ beatification Mass will be…
Frank Browne On Saturday August 29, I was ordained a permanent deacon in the parish church of Saggart, by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for the Dublin Diocese. The ordination ceremony was an important event for my family. My wife, and children (aged from 10 to 17 years), had some concerns over what my becoming a deacon…
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, has thanked experts from Moneyval – the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism – for helping the Holy See in its efforts to ensure transparency and international cooperation in its financial dealings. The cardinal welcomed the…
World-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is set to release his new album Believe on November 13, which celebrates ìfaith, hope and charityî. It follows Bocelliís record-breaking ëMusic for Hopeí performance during Easter from the Duomo cathedral in Milan which was watched live by millions of people around the globe. The themes explored in this new recording are deeply personal according to Bocelli, who said: ìThe…
The head of the Salesians announced that the order has raised nearly €8 million to help thousands of families worldwide who have been financially affected during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Specifically, €7.9 million have been collected, a very significant amount that has reached 62 Salesian provinces around the world, in response to 143 projects in support…