A feature of the temperance movement from the beginning was inclusiveness, writes Finola Kennedy “Padre, is that you?…Is there a God?” Reassurance from the chaplain to the dying young officer prompted the reply, “You must be right, but it’s hard isn’t it, to understand?” It must have been hard too for the 32 Irish…
Over 40 students rallied together in a school to fight off hunger to raise awareness and funds for the homeless crisis in Ireland. Transition Year students in Ennis’ Rice College took part in a school sleep in and a 24-hour fast earlier this month to collect money for the Mid-West Simon Community. The students wrote…
The Notebook Fr Conor McDonough “What?! You shouldn’t have!” “Mum, look what Santa brought!” Christmas is a time of surprises, usually pleasant, and that’s very fitting, because it’s a feast that commemorates the greatest surprise in history, although we often forget the great surprise amid all the little ones… How often have you…
Christmas brings a “glimmer of hope and joy” to Christian families “terrorised” and driven out of their homes by ISIS in Iraq, according to Archbishop Eamon Martin. Speaking at a carol service in Armagh, Archbishop Martin told the congregation about his visit to Batnaya on the Ninevah Plains last week, and how he was brought…
Australian Cardinal George Pell has been found guilty on five charges related to serious sexual misconduct involving two boys at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in the 1990s. Cardinal Pell is expected to appeal the conviction. Sources said Cardinal Pell pleaded not guilty to all charges but was found guilty on December 11 by a…
The sisters of Kylemore Abbey are a hardworking group of nuns who welcome tens of thousands of eager visitors each year to their home in the heart of Connemara. The nuns are famous for their delicious home-baking and the wholesome food in the abbey restaurant and tea rooms. Built as a breath-taking castle in 1868…
Irish citizens who voted to protect the constitutional right to life during May’s abortion referendum should not give up hope, a prominent pro-life group has said. The remarks come after the news last week that the bill which allows for the introduction of abortion services in Ireland passed all stages of the Oireachtas and will…
The Vatican has said that while there are no immediate plans to add new members to the C9, Pope Francis has released the three eldest cardinals from the duties of the advisory group. Papal spokesman Greg Burke told journalists in a briefing last week that the Pope has sent letters to Cardinal George Pell, Cardinal…
The bells of every Catholic Church in Strasbourg rang for 10 minutes last week to honour the victims of a terror attack at a Christmas market the previous day. On December 11, a shooter opened fire on the crowd, killing three people and injuring 12 others. Police said Cherif Chekatt (29), presumably linked to radical…
Christopher White In a decision that will undoubtedly create shockwaves around the globe, Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Church official to stand trial for sexual abuse, was found guilty last week by a Melbourne Court. In one of the most closely watched trials in modern Catholic Church history, after nearly four full days…