Poland’s bishops marked their country’s centenary of independence by warning freedom could be lost again if Poles abandon their Catholic Faith. In a pastoral letter for the November 11 centenary, the bishops said love of homeland was a divine command and was expressed through “daily civic honesty, readiness to serve and dedication to the common…
Hubble’s law name change to honour priest
The International Astronomical Union has voted in favor of a recommendation to rename the Hubble law the Hubble-Lemaître law, to acknowledge the contributions of the Belgian priest and astronomer Georges Lemaître to the scientific theory of the expansion of the universe. “To honour the intellectual integrity and the supremely significant discovery by Georges Lemaître, the…
A more synodal Church would be rewarding
Dear Editor, Archbishop Eamon Martin’s call for a ‘listening Church’ (IC 1/11/2018) is a brave suggestion, though it’s hard not to feel that there’s a risk that this may be brave in the sense that Sir Humphrey of television’s Yes, Minister might have used the word: who knows what such a proposal might unleash? Back…
Family News and Events
A story to remember For those who enjoy jokes, songs and stories, the Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival might just be for you. This Kerry event started off in 2011 as an idea by chairman and local Seanachai Batt Burns, coming to fruition the following year. Since then, the festival has grown year by…
Facebook Community
Each week we publish a selection of comments from The Irish Catholic Facebook page. Should Ireland offer asylum to Asia Bibi? Her family needs somewhere safe to recover from the ordeal they have all been through. It would also be a recognition that Christians are persecuted and need refuge. – Bairbre Cahill Can’t see…
Two poignant concerts to mark month of remembrance
Pat O’Kelly November is a month of remembrance maybe made more poignant this year with the commemoration of the ending of World War I. Two concerts, tomorrow (November 9) in the National Concert Hall and on Saturday (November 10) in Dublin’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, will focus not only on the horrors of war but…
Vatican Roundup
All Souls day is time to remember and hope – Pope The Mass for the feast of All Souls is “realistic, concrete” in calling Catholics to remember the people and events of their past, to consider how they live today and to hope for eternal life with God and their loved ones who preceded them, Pope Francis said. Celebrating an outdoor Mass on November 2,…
Irish Jesuit praised by Zambian government
A Co. Offaly-born Jesuit has been honoured by the government of Zambia for his work in developing strategies for HIV prevention. President Edgar Lungu conferred the Order of Distinguished Service on 89-year-old Fr Michael Kelly SJ last week in the Zambian capital of Lusaka. Fr Kelly has worked for decades to educate people about the…
Brexit could lead to border violence again, bishop says
Brexit will have “dire consequences” across Ireland and could evoke “violent reaction” from those on border counties, the Bishop of Down and Connor has warned this week. Speaking to the German Catholic News Agency, KNA, Bishop Noel Treanor said: “As recently as 20 years ago, we still had the British army, armed checkpoints and police…
Pope says entrepreneurship needed in face of ‘scandalous poverty’
Courtney Grogan Pope Francis spoke of the need for creative entrepreneurship in the face of “scandalous poverty” today, stressing the importance of generosity with one’s possessions. “If there is hunger on earth, it is not because food is missing!” the Pontiff said in St Peter’s Square. “What is lacking is a free and far-sighted…










