Poland’s Catholic bishops have called for a permanent ban on abortions in the country to mark the 1,050th anniversary of Poland’s conversion to Christianity in the year 966. “Each person’s life is protected by the fifth commandment, do not kill. So the attitude of Catholics is clear and unchanging,” the bishops’ conference said. “In this…
Mary Miller, Thomondgate touches the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help as John Hegarty and Jerry O’Doherty, Patrick Sarsfield Branch of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (Organisation of National Ex-servicemen & Women) process the pilgrim icon into St John’s Cathedral, Limerick. The Redemptorists are celebrating the 150th anniversary of devotion to the Our Mother of…
The Capuchin Provincial has called on politicians to put the country’s “national interest” first in order to quickly form a new government. Speaking at a Mass for peace and reconciliation at the Capuchin Holy Trinity Church in Cork on Sunday, Bro. Adrian Curran addressed the country’s politicians saying it was time for their “choreography, more…
Staff reporter A last minute decision to attend the funeral of a colleague saved the life of a 79-year-old priest. Fr Michael Coen of Kilconly in Co. Galway was due to hear Confessions at Knock Shrine but decided instead to concelebrate the funeral Mass of Fr Michéal Mannion in Clonbur. However, Fr Coen suffered a heart…
Bishop Brendan Leahy has urged those responsible for thefts at two Limerick city churches “to examine their conscience”. Almost €1,000 was stolen in thefts which occurred in St Paul’s Church in Dooradoyle and St Oliver Plunkett’s Church in Mungret. Speaking on local radio Bishop Leahy said the money was “donated to the Church for activities…
Schools need to embrace Christian meditation The Diocese of Elphin has urged Catholic schools to try Christian meditation, noting that the practice appears absent from many schools in the diocese. In a statement on Facebook, the diocese said there is “a lot of talk about ‘mindfulness’ these days”, adding that it was “strange” that so few people seem to be…
Bernadette Smyth Abortion is a criminal offence in Northern Ireland, governed by sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and section 25 of the Criminal Justice Act (NI) 1945. The core purpose of this law is the protection of the unborn child. Ever since the Family Planning Association of Northern…
All relationships require work and commitment. It’s the same with prayer, writes Fr James Martin SJ Fr James Martin SJ Not long ago a young man who sees me for spiritual direction said his prayer life was unsatisfying. After asking what he meant, I asked the obvious question: “How often are you praying?” In response, he…
It was a privilege to honour those who had kept the living flame of liberty alive, writes Fr Paul Murphy OFM Cap. On Easter Monday morning, the Capuchin Friary Church in Church Street, Dublin, played host to the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Chamber Choir Ireland in their most moving rendering of Mozart’s The Great Requiem.…
Staff Reporter Pro-life campaigners in the North have welcomed the publication of new abortion guidelines which they say protect the life of both mother and baby. The guidelines, issued on the evening of Good Friday, follow years of debate on how to bring clarity to abortion practice in Northern Ireland, where unlike in Britain abortion is…