The Archdiocese of Dublin has called for 4,000 Eucharistic ministers to serve at the final mass at the WMOF. According to the archdiocese, because the majority of the communion will be given out on grassy, bumpy areas of the park, applicants must be “trained and functioning ministers of the Holy Communion” as well as “steady…
Dublin event to celebrate anniversary of Papal encyclical
A Dublin conference will next month look at the lasting legacy of the encyclical Humanae Vitae. Promulgated by Blessed Pope Paul VI 50 years ago, the document continues to be hotly discussed within the Church. The conference – ‘Love and Life in Marriage’ – will celebrate the Church’s vision for sexuality and marriage with particular…
Vatican Roundup
Pope accepts resignation of accused Honduran bishop Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Juan José Pineda, auxiliary bishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, following a Vatican investigation into accusations of financial mismanagement and sexual misconduct against seminarians. The bishop, 57, has long been the subject of accusations of financial misdealings, as well as rumours that he offered support to a male companion…
Future of parish to be key focus after Papal visit
Organisers of a key conference on breathing life into Irish parishes hope the visit of Pope Francis can give new energy to a more lay-led vision of Church reform. The two-day conference on the Future of the parish in Ireland is being hosted by the Irish Institute for Pastoral Studies based at MIC St Patrick’s…
Intense Govt planning continuing for Papal visit – Minister
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said that he is unable to give an estimate on how much the State will contribute to the visit of Pope Francis as some contracts are yet to be agreed. He was responding to a Dáil question by Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger who asked about the costs incurred by…
‘Life-changing experience’ as marriage and family are celebrated in Lourdes
WMOF 2018 Jade McMahon and Ciara Hunt Preparations for our youth pilgrimage began many months ago when we attended meetings in the pastoral centre in Corbally, Limerick. We were trained and the role we were about to undertake as youth pilgrims was explained to us. We met our 10 dedicated leaders who were full of life, fun and…
Croatia World Cup coach finds strength in his Faith
Always carrying rosary beads and showing graciousness in defeat, it makes sense that Croatia’s manager is a man of sincere Catholic faith. Coaching his team all the way to the World Cup final, Zlatko Dalic [pictured] said that his success is due to his Faith in God. “Everything I have done in my life and…
Young people facing adversity are focus of Synod of Bishops
Pope Francis has chosen four cardinals from countries where young people are facing special challenges to preside over sessions of the Synod of Bishops in October. The Vatican announced on July 14 the Pope’s appointment of the presidents-delegate: Cardinals Louis Sako of Baghdad, the Chaldean patriarch; Desire Tsarahazana of Toamasina, Madagascar; Charles Bo of Yangon,…
The Pope in search of the Church’s future
The Quiet Revolution of Pope Francis: A Synodal Catholic Church in Ireland? by Gerry O’Hanlon SJ (Messenger Publications, €12.95) Peter Hegarty “It is through the clash of ideas in public debate that truth emerges,” Gerry O’Hanlon observes in a favourable overview of the reforms undertaken and envisaged by Pope Francis. He writes of the slow emergence of…
Knock Shrine launches first ever prayer book
Just in time for Pope Francis’ official visit next month, Ireland’s National Marian Shrine in Knock, Co. Mayo, has launched its first ever exclusive collection of prayers. The beautiful Knock Prayer Book is a collection of brand new prayers composed by Fr Richard Gibbons, rector at Knock Shrine for over five years, and carefully chosen…










