Community leaders in south-west Dublin have criticised a ‘family fun’ weekend organised for the coming week by a recently established branch of the Church of Scientology in the area. The ‘dinosaur giant family fun weekend’ takes place in the Church of Scientology’s community centre in Firhouse, and includes several entertainment features aimed at children. Local…
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston struck a determinedly hopeful tone after his long-awaited meeting with Pope Francis to discuss the growing sexual abuse crisis in the US. “I myself am filled with hope,” he said, “but I also realise all these things might take purpose and time.” The cardinal spoke following a noon meeting last…
Gabriel Doherty continues his reflection on issues as identified by The Irish Catholic a century ago The eye of The Irish Catholic in its edition of September 14, 1918 was firmly on overseas developments, with the evolving tragedy in Russia the subject of its lead editorial. Entitled ‘The terror in Russia’, it addressed the…
Chalk Dust by Noel Monahan (Salmon Poetry, €14.00) Seamus Cashman In my first reading of this collection of some 56 poems (150 pages long!) by the Longford poet, dramatist, and former teacher, I found several poems taking me into imagination, back my own era of ‘chalk dust’. The first poem, ‘Still-Life Study’, a poem based on…
Ireland must open eyes to child trafficking – charity Mercy Efforts for Child Protection Against Trafficking with The Hospitality Sector (MECPATHS) have launched a research report on child trafficking by a UCC graduate who has called for Ireland to tackle the problem “head on”. JP O’ Sullivan’s report explores the vulnerabilities Ireland’s international neighbours have experienced in relation to keeping children safe. With…
Dear Editor, In response to Colm Fitzpatrick’s article ‘National seminary sees lowest student intake ever’ (IC 13/9/2018), I would argue that while the figures may indeed be low there is much to be positive about. While smaller numbers are cause for consideration and deliberation, so too were the vast numbers who entered the seminaries of…
Derry announces clerical changes A Derry-based priest who was previously cleared of an indecent assault charge in the criminal courts is to retire to restricted ministry after accepting the outcome of a Canon Law trial, the diocese has said. Bishop Donal McKeown announced this week that Fr Eugene Boland, who previously stepped aside in 2014, “has accepted the…
Three Baltic countries prepare for papal visit Pope Francis will travel to the eastern periphery of Europe to honour a Faith that withstood a Nazi invasion and five decades of communist dictatorship and now is striving to help people live in freedom as authentic Disciples of Christ. The Pope’s visit from September 22-25 to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia comes in the…
The Notebook Fr Vincent Sherlock For 21 years I have had the chance to spend a few weeks each year in a parish in the diocese of Rockville Centre, New York – two years in one and the past 19 in another. It seems strange perhaps to combine holidays with working in a parish…
There are many saints who demonstrate that even if one comes from a difficult childhood, or does not have good parents, hope can still be found in Christ and the mission received from him, Pope Francis said today. The commandment to honour father and mother “can be constructive for many young people who come from…