Berkeley tragedy shines a light on vital pastoral service
Cathal Barry
Pope’s encyclical a ‘powerful wake-up call’ to whole world
Pope Francis has penned a stinging critique of humanity’s treatment of the environment, urging people to take action to combat the reality of climate change. In his much anticipated encyclical, Laudato Si (Praise be to you), the Pope sets out an “urgent challenge” to protect the environment from any further destruction, calling on society to…
Changing the script
There hasn’t always been such furore around the publication of papal encyclicals, writes Cathal Barry
Research shows we are switching to healthier foods
It’s great to see retail figures reveal that Irish people have been making the switch to healthier products. According to reports, there have been vast increases in sales of healthier foods such as nuts, brown rice and dairy alternatives in the last two years. The Nielsen Global Health and Wellness Survey polled more than 30,000…
Referendum result a ‘wake-up call’ for Church – theologian
A leading Catholic theologian has said the result of the same-sex marriage referendum last month should be a “wake-up call” for the Church. Fr Vincent Twomey told The Irish Catholic that the Church “has to be ready now to become the only opposition to the dominant forces that are trying to shape society”. “This should…
Tributes to Sr Thérèse Marie O’Connell, an Irish nun who lived out vocation in Lourdes
Tributes have been paid to the Cork-born Sr Thérèse Marie O’Connell who lived out her religious vocation in the heart of Lourdes for over 57 years. News of her death coincided with the Cork & Ross pilgrimage to the French shrine, enabling a large contingent from her native city to attend her requiem Mass at…
Lay Catholic reform group call for national assembly
A group of lay Catholics seeking liberal reform in the Church in Ireland have called on the hierarchy to consider holding a national assembly. Members of the Association of Catholics in Ireland (ACI) made the proposal at a meeting with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin recently. Whether Archbishop Martin supports such an assembly is unknown.…
Purgatory & paradise
Every year thousands of people undertake a three-day-long pilgrimage to Lough Derg, each with their own intentions. In the first of a two-part special, The Irish Catholic reports on St Patrick’s Purgatory. Cathal Barry recounts his pilgrimage to St Patrick’s Purgatory
Vatican bars journalist who published leaked encyclical
Humans primarily responsible for climate change, draft warns
New Heaven and new Earth
The Church teaches that in the new universe, God will have his dwelling among men, writes Cathal Barry