The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 8 Exclusive excerpt from Holistic Healing, A Christian Approach by Pat Collins Postmodernism maintains that the human mind cannot know absolute truth, so at best all truth is probable, partial, and provisional. Writing in par. 91 of his encyclical Faith and Reason, St John Paul II observed, “the time…
The US Diocese of Springfield has released a report submitted by retired Superior Court Judge Peter Velis documenting his investigation into a claim of sexual abuse by the late Bishop Christopher Weldon and his finding the claim “to be unequivocally credible”. The report also covers how the diocese handled this complaint and opportunities for improvement…
Although he said “I would never go to war” over the proper age to administer the sacrament of Confirmation, Archbishop Rino Fisichella has said too often it seems that the Sacrament is delayed to “blackmail” young people into continuing to come to church. The archbishop, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation, made…
An ongoing dialogue between Catholic and Muslim educators took a very concrete turn on June 25 when the United Arab Emirates sent a plane carrying 50 tons of humanitarian aid to a Peruvian city overwhelmed by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Vatican News, the plane carried masks, gloves, medical oxygen and food aid that will…
The Museum Building of Trinity College: A Model of Victorian Craftsmanship by Christine Casey and Patrick Wyse Jackson (Four Courts Press, €45) Christopher Moriarty Now is a fitting time to browse an extraordinary book about an extraordinary building. Created in 1857, the Museum Building of Trinity College, Dublin has been a familiar object to generations of…
According to a recent report in Corriere della Sera, Italy’s paper of record, an Italian financier now based in London named Raffaele Mincione has filed two civil suits against the Vatican’s Secretariat of State before Britain’s High Court of Justice, both related to a now-infamous land deal in London’s Chelsea neighbourhood he brokered in 2013.…
Living Laudato Si’ Jane Mellett These have been extraordinary months across the world. Slowly and cautiously we are emerging from the Covid-19 restrictions and it is vitally important that we do not get complacent. The virus has not gone away and each of us are responsible for ensuring that we protect ourselves and each other…
The Red Army may have ended a silverware famine by being crowned Premier League champs at the weekend, but Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp took it all in his stride. He has revealed that he is devout and the Christian Faith has helped him to deal with both success and failure on and off the pitch.…
Pope says world needs fewer complainers Some people always will want to destroy unity and stifle prophets, Pope Francis said on the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. And yet, Jesus challenges everyone to be – like Peter – a rock for building a renewed Church and renewed humanity, and – like Paul – a…
Dear Editor, As the dioceses and parishes prepare to open up their churches and cathedrals again, albeit in restricted measures, I am sure many would join with me in thanking the many priests, bishops, religious, deacons and faithful who continued to minister to us during the weeks of lockdown. Through their creative usage of modern…