Dear Editor, I am delighted with the news that the cause of seven Columban priests who served in Korea has been sent to the Vatican for approval opening the way for their eventual sainthood [The Irish Catholic – July 28, 2022]. I wish to point out that there are 17 other Columban martyrs including one…
Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Parishioners across the country with spare rooms near universities are being asked to take in hard-pressed students who are struggling to find accommodation as the college year begins. Third-level institutions across the Republic are warning of an unprecedented crisis with fears that some students may be unable to attend college…
Staff Reporter Derry’s close-knit Indian Catholic community has been left shaken and “heartbroken” after two teen- agers died in a drowning tragedy on Monday evening. Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian – Syro Malabar Catholics – died after getting into difficulty at Enagh Lough. Four other teenagers who are also members of the community survived. Fr…
Staff Reporter The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has revealed how his Catholic Faith has helped his family as they struggle to come to terms with the death of two of his five children. Mr Martin also said the tragedies shook his faith but that he and his wife Mary received comfort from the ministry of their…
Staff Reporter A memorial to those who died during the pandemic and the carers has been unveiled on the slopes of Slieve Patrick in Co. Down. The stone of commemoration and thanks was blessed by the custodian of Slieve Patrick and parish priest of Saul – where St Patrick first came ashore on his missionary…
Chai Brady and Ruadhán Jones Young Irish priests have expressed their hurt at being characterised as “rigid” in the national synodal synthesis sent to Rome recently. The synthesis, which identified key themes emerging from nationwide consultation, made one mention of younger priests, saying: “some participants were concerned that some younger priests are very traditional and…
Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals for the Catholic Church during a liturgy in St Peter’s Basilica Saturday. “Jesus calls us by name; he looks us in the eye and he asks: Can I count on you?” Pope Francis said in a homily addressed to the College of Cardinals and its new members on August…
Staff reporter Fr Eamonn Conway has been appointed the Professor for Integral Human Development at the University of Notre Dame Australia. A priest of Tuam archdiocese and heading Theology and Religious Studies at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick until recently, Prof. Conway will be relocating to Perth to take up his new role in October.…
Four Catholic nuns kidnapped in southeast Nigeria August 21 were released two days later, their order said. “With hearts full of joy, the Sisters of Jesus the Saviour wish to announce the unconditional and safe release of four of our sisters,” said a statement from Sr Zita Ihedoro, secretary-general. She thanked people for their “prayers…
Staff Reporter One of the Pope’s key advisers organising the unprecedented synod consultation process has insisted that what is needed is a change of attitude, not a change of doctrine. Chairman Jesuit Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, who is serving as chairman of the synod, insisted at a Vatican press conference on Friday: “I am not in…