In the midst of this crisis, the Pope offers a steadying and hope-filled message, writes Fr Niall Coll The recent surge in Covid-19 infections rates and tightening of restrictions throughout the country in its wake have shaken us and the world has been shocked by the news that the President of the United States, Donald…
The Culture of God: The Syrian Jesus, Reading the Divine Mind, Sailing into the Divine Heart by Nadim Nassar (Hodder & Stoughton, £14.99) Anthony Redmond Nadim Nassar is the first Syrian Christian to become a priest in the Church of England. This is his first book and it’s well worth reading. He says of his life…
Archbishop Anthony Fisher and archdiocesan staff welcomed a commitment by the government of New South Wales to enact anti-slavery legislation passed by the Australian Parliament more than two years ago. The state of New South Wales endorsed the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and supported, in principle, a recommendation to implement the act before the end…
US Secretary of State and Vatican official s ex change views on China The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Holy See’s top diplomats had a “respectful” exchange of views on China, the Vatican said October 1. Responding to questions from journalists, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, said that Mr…
Some 5,000 students of Spiritan schools in Ireland and their teachers answered the virtual call to prayer on Friday October 2, Feast Day of the Spiritan founder, Claude Poullart des Places. Each classroom across the Spiritan education community created a 15-minute prayer space in its schedule. The online event, led by Fr Paddy Moran CSSp of the Spiritan leadership…
In Co. Down the small and vibrant parish of Ardkeen has been bursting with creativity during lockdown ensuring that the parishioners knew the loving presence of Christ and the support of the Church, writes Paula McKeown Initially our parish started with weekly ‘Faith Survival Kits’, the family rosary, a weekly children’s Mass that teachers and…
The Bishop of Cloyne has said that to introduce a bill that would allow for assisted suicide during the middle of a pandemic is a “contradiction of an enormous magnitude”. Bishop William Crean criticised the introduction of the ‘Dying with Dignity Bill’, dubbing it “disingenuous and unnecessary”. In his Homily for the Church’s ‘Day for…
US pandemic stimulus bill excludes Catholic school students and their families The chairman of the US bishops’ education committee said October 1 “it is unconscionable” the HEROES Act stimulus bill proposed in the House is excluding Catholic school students and their families. The bill includes $225 billion for education, including $182 billion for K-12 schools,…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 22:1-14) is a parable about an invitation to a wedding, not just any wedding, but the royal wedding of the king’s son. In Michelangelo’s famous fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the finger of God is reaching towards Adam drawing him into…
Dear Editor, I was getting a little bit concerned about our former president Mary McAleese. It had been several weeks since I had heard her quoted predicting the demise of the Catholic Church. She was clearly keeping her powder dry for a few weeks to maximise publicity for a new book. Her training as a…