The Notebook Fr Bernard Healy Near London’s Marble Arch, at the junction of Bayswater Road and Edgeware Road, there is a triangular traffic island. On the island are planted three oak saplings, and on the ground between them sits a stone plaque that reads ‘The Site of Tyburn Tree’. This marks the spot of…
Hannah Brockhaus When a person puts an object or a philosophy above God, it not only destroys happiness, it hinders the ability to experience real love, Pope Francis said today. “Attachment to an object or an idea makes us blind to love. Carry this in your heart: idols rob us of love, idols make…
After numerous accusations of sexual abuse of minors and adults have arisen against a former Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston called Tuesday for bishops to be held accountable for sex abuse. “These cases and others require more than apologies. They raise up the fact that when charges are brought regarding a bishop…
The visit of Pope Francis next month is the largest event in Ireland since John Paul II’s historic trip in 1979, according to Gardaí. Authorities today (Thursday) announced that all public transport in Dublin will be free on Sunday August 26 when the Pope is due to celebrate Mass before more than 500,000 people in…
Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has given a strong indication that he may well step down before he is due to retire in April 2020. Dr Martin – who first came back to Dublin as coadjutor archbishop in 2003 and succeeded Cardinal Desmond Connell the following year – has presided over one of the…
A New York-based Irish seminarian who has dedicated his ministry to working with disadvantaged people in the city will feature as part of a forthcoming item on RTÉ television. Nationwide presenter Colm Flynn spent the day with Niall McDonagh, originally from Galway but studying for the Archdiocese of New York. Mr Flynn – a regular…
A leading expert on Pope Francis will address the Pontiff’s reform agenda and its relevance for the Church here just ahead of the Pope’s historic trip to Ireland. John L. Allen – a journalist who has covered the papacies of St John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis – will speak about the revolution that…
A former English footballer has praised hundreds of young pilgrims for travelling from England to Lourdes to help the sick. Commenting in response to a message on Twitter, Stan Collymore, a former Liverpool football player, said that the 400 young people making the trip to the Marian Shrine will have an obvious impact on those…
Matthew Carlson Councillors in South Dublin have rejected a call to fly the traditional Papal flag during the Pope’s historic trip here next month. Renua Councillor Ronan McMahon had proposed that the flag – the official flag of the Holy See – would fly above South Dublin County Hall in Tallagh during the visit. However,…
Davis Clark Pilgrims across Ireland will be trekking through the country in order to reflect and pray at some well-known ancient sites. After a successful inauguration last year, Ireland’s second pilgrim journey was launched on Wednesday, July 18 to great excitement. The journey will take place from August 18 until August 25, taking pilgrims through…