Irish people should watch out for migrants being exploited in our communities, and should guard against being “insular”. Responding to Pope Francis’ World Message of Peace and his address to diplomats connected with the Vatican this week, Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns said Irish people know too well the realities of migrating for a better…
Christians need to work towards generating a “new narrative”, as the power-sharing talks resume in Northern Ireland, Bishop Noel Treanor has said. Inspired by Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace message in which he spoke of a “contemplative gaze”, the bishop of Down and Connor said there was a connection between contemplation and responsible politics.…
One lucky Irish priest who bagged half a million Euro said he would “share his luck around” and looks forward to giving something back. Mayo-born Msgr John Delaney said it was a policy he learned from his late mother and his bishop, with Premier Lotteries quoting him as saying: “I am a big believer in…
Christian church leaders have called on politicians to focus this year on helping restore hope to families who are experiencing hardship, especially those who are homeless. The New Year message was sent by several Church leaders including the Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin. They said they were shocked at the rising levels of homelessness…
Research reveals Pontiff a regular feature of Oireachtas debates EXCLUSIVE Pope Francis has proved a big hit with Irish politicians as excitement mounts ahead of his scheduled visit here next year, according to new statistics compiled by The Irish Catholic. An extensive trawl of the official report of the Oireachtas – which records the…
Jesus said that when we welcome the stranger we also welcome him, said the Bishop of Elphin in his Christmas message, and that this sends a message of “solidarity with refugees”. The tradition of lighting a candle in the window on Christmas Eve is a way of saying that if the Holy Family were looking…
Sole providers for families in developing countries face terrifying prospects if they become blind, writes Chai Brady For a mother who does readings at Church, runs her own business and loves to see the faces of her children and grandchildren, the prospect of slowly going blind is terrifying. Hannah, who is in her 60s,…
On a visit to Mountjoy, Chai Brady investigates the good works of techy inmates The magic happens on level 5 where old keyboards and monitors lie in green baskets on the floor of what looks like an average computer lab at first glance. Except this room has bars on every window. The old pieces…
For this scripture group, Christmas came early, writes Chai Brady After two years of hard grind four local women’s dreams came to fruition when a new crib was unveiled in the Gaeltacht village of Moycullen, Co Galway. The vision of the project was to bring “the true meaning of Christmas to the very heart…
Several carol singers including priests have been arrested in India after a man claimed they were trying to convert him. The following day Hindu activists allegedly assaulted eight priests and set fire to their vehicle outside an Indian police station as the clergy tried to help the 30 seminarians and two priests that were arrested,…