Fr Eckar Rolón does not expect his workload to evaporate October 15 when his small landlocked country, Paraguay, reopens its borders with neighbouring Argentina and Brazil after seven months. Fr Rolón has coordinated a massive food programme in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay’s second-largest city, since the coronavirus pandemic hit in March and borders were closed,…
A data analyst has challenged a DUP minister’s claim that there are more Covid-19 hotspots in Catholic communities, saying poverty is the key factor linked to outbreaks not religion. Speaking to The Irish News, Peter Donaghy said it was in socially deprived areas that people won’t have jobs which allow them to work from home.…
The government of the Netherlands has announced it will allow the euthanisation of terminally ill children between the ages of one and 12. “There is a need for active termination of life among doctors and parents of incurably ill children, who are suffering hopelessly and unbearably and will die within the foreseeable future,” Health Minister…
Living Laudato Si’ David Attenborough’s new documentary ‘A Life on Our Planet’ was released this month on Netflix and it is certainly something that everyone should see. In this one and half hour documentary, Attenborough makes a powerful call to action for humanity to work together to restore biodiversity and the balance of our ecosystems.…
Pope picks Bishop Semeraro to lead sainthood congregation Pope Francis has named Italian Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, secretary of his Council of Cardinals, to be the new prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The bishop, 72, succeeds Cardinal Angelo Becciu, whom the Pope forced to resign in late September because of suspicious financial…
The Faithful gathered to mark the official opening and blessing of the new Prayer Path in Mount Saint Joseph Abbey created by the 2019-2020 Transition Year students from Cistercian College with singers, poetry readings and more. Abbott Dom Malachy Thompson blessed the path and cut the ribbon. He congratulated the students, Fr AodhánMcDunphy and Paddy…
Dear Editor, It is ironic that the so-called Dying with Dignity bill was introduced into the Dáil during palliative care week. Several professionals from the hospice and palliative care sector have warned that this bill is a ‘Trojan horse’ which will ruin our current gold standard of end of life care, where the patient, family…
Cool Food School Hallowe’en Treats The Cool Food School are offering an interactive online workshop for children to learn how to make healthy Hallowe’en snacks. Facilitated by Tallaght Library, the course is aimed at “getting your kids in the kitchen, learning how to cook and making some fun, healthy, Hallowe’en treats”! “Hallowe’en doesn’t have to…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. It was an attempt to start an argument with Jesus, to disconcert him, when one of the pharisees asked for his opinion on the greatest commandment. Jesus cut through all their commentaries and debates with a simple and challenging answer: “You must love the Lord your God…
A priest based in Wales has vowed that he would rather be arrested than refuse to administer the sacraments to Catholics. It comes after the Welsh authorities announced this week that they would follow the lead of authorities in the Republic and ban public worship. It makes the Republic and Wales the only places in…