Ireland’s Revolutionary Diplomat: A Biography of Leopold Kerney by Barry Whelan (University of Notre Dame Press, US$50.00 / €54.95) Joe Carroll Leopold Kerney has not been treated well by some Irish historians over his controversial meetings with a top level Nazi official and a German intelligence agent in Madrid during a critical phase of World…
Dear Editor, John McGuirk calls Greta Thunberg “a very impressive young woman”, (IC 22/08/19), yet compares her to the Children’s Crusade’s deluded child leaders. Disclaiming any desire to criticise her, he gives the impression he’s itching to do just that, mocking her “holy mission, sailing to the promised land”. He lists failures of “the Green…
Food for thought walk For those who are enthusiasts of Ireland’s ancient past, the Ennis Gourmet History Walking Tour will be right up your street. The walk takes attendees on a journey that serves as an edible experience of the town’s past and present. The tour, led by Jane O’Brien of the award-winning Ennis Walking…
Two bishops ordained in China after agreement The ordination of Bishop Anthony Yao Shun of Jining in China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region was the first episcopal ordination in the country following the provisional agreement signed in 2018 between China and the Vatican. The ordination was “the first to take place in the framework of the…
Bishop William Crean has announced the latest round of clerical changes in Cloyne Diocese. He has accepted the retirements of Fr Donal Coakley as PP of Inniscarra, Canon David Herlihy as PP of Youghal and Canon Michael Fitzgerald as PP of Mitchelstown. Effective September 21, Msgr Anthony O’Brien PP of Mallow is also to become…
Thirty years ago, Athlone woman Marion Carroll arrived at Knock Shrine in a stretcher suffering from multiple sclerosis. During the Mass she received benediction with the Blessed Sacrament and her sight and speech was restored and she began to walk. At the weekend she returned to Knock to hear Archbishop Neary pronounce that “today the…
It is understood that Cardinal George Pell will appeal his conviction to the Australian High Court, following the decision earlier this month by the Court of Appeal in Victoria to uphold his conviction for child sexual abuse. It has been reported that the Australian prelate would be exercising his final appeal and that, while the…
A workshop on priestly vocation was an eye-opening experience, writes Bishop Phonsie Cullinan At the Youth 2000 Summer Retreat in Clongowes Wood College this month 39 young people gathered for a lunchtime conversation workshop on vocations to the diocesan priesthood. The gathering was initiated by the Vocations Council of the Bishops’ Conference which I…
Thousands of pro-life supporters demonstrated in the streets of Sydney, expressing their opposition to a bill in the New South Wales state parliament that would permit abortion until birth for any reason. The demonstration called on members of parliament (MPs) to defeat the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill that was introduced on August 1. The…
Cloyne’s Bishop William Crean has praised Irish missionaries for having raised awareness of the plight of people around the world affected by climate change. Speaking at a Mass to mark the centenary of St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, Bishop Crean said it was important to “remember with gratitude to God the outstanding contribution of the…