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…
Getting active at Kilruddery Estate Getting the family outside the house to enjoy fun activities outdoors is certainly on many people’s minds after weeks of lockdown. It can become very easy to fall into a habit of staying in and cocooning from the world. Alive Outside has just launched Family Fun Activities in Killruddery Estate,…
Archbishop says truth of saint’s ministry is in love of indigenous Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez has asked Catholics of the archdiocese to invoke the intercession of St Junipero Serra “for this nation that he helped to found”. “In this hour of trial in our nation, when once again we are confronting America’s shameful legacy…
The passing of Garda Colm Horkan has been a tragic reminder of the heroism and bravery of an Garda Síochána as they work daily to make society safer for all, said Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick. Speaking following a remembrance service outside Henry Street Garda station in Limerick, Bishop Leahy said an unmistakable sense of…
Elderly men, deemed vulnerable by public health officials, are now expected to roll up their sleeves and get back to maintaining essential services writes Fr Paddy Byrne Since the start of Lockdown, I have celebrated 25 funerals. I pray for all families whose bereavement was so difficult because of the restrictions in place as a…
In a reflection offered to BBC Rethink, a series asking how society can change for the better after the Covid-19 crisis, Pope Francis has warned the poor have “become part of the landscape”. The Pope [pictured] was speaking in Spanish with a voiceover provided by the BBC and was provided by the Vatican for the series,…
The episcopal consecration of the new bishop of Achonry, which was postponed due to coronavirus restrictions, will now go ahead on August 30 a spokesman for the diocese has confirmed. Bishop-elect Paul Dempsey will be ordained bishop in the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy in Ballaghaderreen. Fr Dempsey, who has been serving as…
In one of the most anticipated cases of the term, the Supreme Court ruled against efforts by the Trump administration to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA. In a 5-4 decision, the court said the Trump administration’s actions in rescinding the program were “arbitrary and capricious”. Last November, the court…
Pro-life campaigners in the North are urging the region’s Assembly to restore protection for unborn children. It comes after MPs in Westminster voted to remove the last legal obstacle meaning that abortion will be allowed for any reason up to 12 weeks, and up to birth on specific grounds such as disability. The regulations came…
The US bishops are urging Catholics to “pray, reflect and take action” on religious liberty in the United States and abroad during Religious Freedom Week, which runs from June 22-29. The first day of the observance is the feast of Ss Thomas More and John Fisher, both martyred for their Catholic faith. The US Conference…