Family News and Events

Healthy lessons about grub for growing teens It’s difficult to get many teenagers cooking at the best of times, never mind teaching them about the importance of nutrition. A teen health eating programme will run from the end of July into August, made possible by ADHD Ireland. In collaboration with Northside Partnership, the nutrition and…

New bishop-elect called to do ‘Lord’s work’

Madison Duddy and Colm Fitzpatrick Bishop-elect Michael Duignan has said he was “shocked” when Pope Francis appointed him as the next bishop of Clonfert, but felt “called to stay and do the Lord’s work”. It was announced on Tuesday that the Elphin priest had been given the role, taking the reins from now-retired Bishop John…

Pope mourns death of French patient after doctors withhold care

“Every life is valuable, always,” Pope Francis tweeted after offering prayers for Vincent Lambert, a 42-year-old French man who died today, nine days after doctors stopped providing him with nutrition and hydration. “May God the Father welcome Vincent Lambert in his arms,” the Pope’s tweet said. “Let us not build a civilization that discards persons…

A missed opportunity to change the climate

John 
McGuirk   An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was at pains last week to distance himself from reports that he was being considered for the top job in the European Union – President of the Commission. Amid reports that he was in line to replace Jean-Claude Juncker, both the Taoiseach and his party seemed very eager…

Fulton on way to sainthood after first miracle approved

With “overwhelming joy”, Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria announced that Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. “Now that the miracle has been confirmed by Pope Francis, the Diocese of Peoria can formally begin planning for the beatification of Archbishop Sheen, which will take place in Peoria,” according…

New Vatican document displays simplified Curia

Letter from Rome Elise Harris   A preliminary outline of Pope Francis’ coming apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia reveals the merger of several more departments and an increased emphasis on the presence of laity as part of a reform hinged on decentralisation and synodality and fuelled by evangelisation. Tentatively titled Praedicate Evangelium, a draft of the…