When asked by his superior if he wanted to leave Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War, Fr Edward Tamer replied that he would remain with the people “to die with them and for them”. Now, having survived the worst of the violence of the war, the Franciscan friar has died of Covid-19 at the age…
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Congolese bishops back protection for doctor who works with rape victims
Congolese bishops are expressing solidarity with Denis Mukwege, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynecologist who has received death threats over his continued call for justice and accountability over war crimes. The doctor – who shared the 2018 prize with victims of sexual violence in Congo – has been repairing women torn apart by rape in the…
Advocacy group hails Israel-Bahrain deal as ‘positive step’ for Middle East Christians
An advocacy group for Christians and other religious minorities living in the Middle East this week praised an agreement between Israel and Bahrain, which comes on the heels of a similar agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. “While there are many contentious issues left to be discussed in the Middle East Peace Process…
More ‘Bolshevik than Burkean’: the ‘new right’ and its threat to democracy
Twilight of Democracy: the failure of politics and the parting of friends by Anne Applebaum (Allen Lane, £16.99) Felix M. Larkin After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union, Western-style liberal democracy was in the ascendant as never before. During the previous two centuries, it had triumphed over…
Spanish bishops denounce euthanasia bill
Euthanasia legislation is headed for the Spanish Senate and, if passed, would be a defeat for human dignity and would affirm a self-centred view of life that proposes death as a solution to one’s problems, the Spanish bishops’ conference said. “To insist on ‘the right to euthanasia’ is typical of an individualistic and reductionist vision…
Second invalidly baptised priest baptised and re-ordained
In the second known instance in the United States, a man who believed himself to be a validly baptised Catholic and ordained priest had to “re-receive” all of his sacraments, including ordination, after discovering that his baptism was invalid. Fr Zachary Boazman, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, thought he was validly ordained…
Hearing the cry of the earth
Living Laudato Si’ During the month of September, Christians around the world are celebrating the Season of Creation, a season in the liturgical calendar where we are invited to reflect, pray and take action for our common home. It was heartening to see Bishop Larry Duffy (of Clogher Diocese) issue a special pastoral letter for…
Vatican Roundup
Pope prays for slain Italian priest remembered as a ‘martyr of charity’ Pope Francis expressed his sorrow after the murder of an Italian priest who was remembered for his care and concern for migrants and refugees. Before concluding his weekly general audience on September 16, the Pope led the Faithful in silent prayer for Father…
Zooming towards evangelisation
A Zoom conference with well-known speakers has been organised for the month of October entitled ‘Evangelising Irish Culture Today’. It is being organised by ‘The Hook of Faith’. In a letter about the event Wexford-based Fr Billy Swan said: “Pope Francis said that ‘it is imperative to evangelise cultures in order to enculturate the Gospel.…
Francis Mary – a patron saint for a pandemic
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. There’s more trouble down the farm today. In last Sunday’s Gospel it was grumbling over wages in the vineyard; this Sunday (Matthew 21:28-31), it’s a father’s confrontation with a son who said he would do the job but he didn’t. Conversely, the other son stamped out in…