Bringing Jesus onto the streets

Under persistent heavy rain and a grey overcast sky, the annual Corpus Christi Procession assembled after the 2.00pm Polish Mass, at St Conleth’s Parish Church, Kildare, to make its way down to St Eustace’s Dominican Grounds for Solemn open-air Benediction. Nothing deterred the enthusiastic participation of the congregation. Under an exquisitely embroidered antique canopy provided…

Security of Iraqi Christians still lacking

The security of Christians in Northern Iraq remains “tenuous” and will require close attention in the future, the US State Department’s religious freedom ambassador has told members of Congress. While the situation is “far better in Northern Iraq right now” for Yazidis and Christians, who in 2016 were recognised by the State Department as genocide…

Vatican Roundup

Francis 
permits
 seafarers 
to
 grant 
absolution
 for
 sins Pope Francis has given priests who minister to seafarers special permission to grant absolution for sins that usually would require the intervention of a bishop or the Vatican itself. “Many seafarers come or will come to priest chaplains with problems on their conscience that make them suffer…

Be clear on our key spiritual battle

Dear Editor, The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-day landings was important not only to remind us of the courage and sacrifice of the previous generation in fighting the evils of Nazism but also to remind us that contending with evil now falls to this generation. There is always something that needs to…

In Brief

The Church is ‘forever young’, new bishop says The new bishop of Madison told the congregation at his installation Mass last week that the Catholic Church “is forever young” and this is “our moment” to proclaim the good news of Christ. “In God’s time, 2,000 years is merely the blink of an eye,” Bishop Donald…

Cork ‘milestone’ as diocese welcomes Dublin-born bishop

Ordination of Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork & Ross Diocese Chai
 Brady
 and

 Madison 
Duddy   Hundreds of parishioners laughed as outgoing Bishop John Buckley ribbed that visitors from Dublin would be happy in Cork as they were “simply travelling from one capital city to the alternative capital”. Jokes were always expected as the ‘rebel…

Fighting for life as an Irish doctor

Personal Profile Madison Duddy   One of the leading voices in the Irish pro-life movement, Kerry-based Dr Andrew O’Regan, can remember a time when being a ‘pro-life doctor’ was not even considered, because all doctors knew their purpose was to protect life. “‘Pro-life doctor’ was a silly term because surely all doctors are pro-life and…

Family News and Events

Picnic time for teddy bears Organised by ADHD Ireland, families are invited to attend their 2019 Teddy Bear’s Picnic in the playground area of Ashtown Castle in the Phoenix Park. There’s plenty of opportunity to meet other families for a fun day out in the sunshine. Organisers say: “Bring along a picnic or purchase from…

Extravagence prevails at NCH’s international series finalé

Pat O’Kelly   The last programme in the National Concert Hall’s 2018/19 International Series brought a welcome return to Earlsfort Terrace of the London Symphony Orchestra. Under the direction of its Milan-born principal guest conductor Gianandrea Noseda, the concert was almost extravagant in its soloists – French violist Antoine Tamestit, Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov and…