Even sinners can reach heaven – Pope

In Brief God waits for everyone, even the worst sinner who repents only with his dying breath, Pope Francis said. “Before God, we present ourselves with empty hands,” he said, meaning that all the good works people have or haven’t done throughout their lives aren’t measured to determine entry into heaven. “A word of humble…

New Nepal law hinders Christian freedom

In Brief Nepal has enacted a law criminalising religious conversion, joining neighbours India and Pakistan in a regional bloc in which Christian minorities face increasing government threats to their Faith. The bill was signed into law last week by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and enshrines additional constitutional protection for Hinduism, which 80 percent of the…

Reformation is a live debate

Reformation is a live debate Dear Editor, Your special Reformation issue of The Irish Catholic (IC 26/10/2017) was remarkable for its breadth and depth, but its real value may lie in its relevance to current Church debates. Take, for example, the piece on the Catholic Counter-Reformation by UCD’s Prof. Tadhg Ó hAnnracháin in which he…

Out & About

Dublin: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin launches a new book on Frank Duff, the founder of the Legion of Mary. The book entitled “A Thought a Day with Frank Duff” was compiled by Tommy McCabe.

Around the world

US: Youth attend the Holy Fire event at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. It drew 4,200 middle school students from several states. Organisers say its mission is “to set young people ablaze with the love of Christ”.

Family News and Events

Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo Dublin Zoo is launching an after-dark event tomorrow (November 3) which will run until January 7, 2018. Wild Lights is a trail around illuminated animal sculptures including a pride of lions, orangutans, tigers, giraffes and monkeys. Other highlights include a 16-metre high porcelain elephant tower and a 30-metre long Chinese dragon. Visitors…

Government response to refugee crisis needs reboot

The Irish Government should look to resettle and relocate 4,500 refugees by 2020 after only reaching a third of what was committed according to a report by the Irish Refugee and Migrant Council. Under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, Ireland pledged to resettle 4,000 people over a two year period, so far only one third…

Former Primate warns on political stalemate

One of the most-prominent voices for peace and moderation during the Troubles has warned that the North faces much uncertainty if political leaders are unable to reach a compromise. Robin Eames – who as leader of the Church of Ireland from 1986-2006 played a key role in reaching out to loyalist and republican paramilitaries in…

Renewing Newman’s vision of faith and reason

The Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith & Reason hosted a splendid evening of music and poetry to a large and delighted crowd this past Sunday evening. Traditional Irish music on harp and uilleann pipes was provided by two renowned performers, harpist Anne-Marie O’Farrell and piper Mark Redmond, and poems of John Montague and Séamus Heaney…