‘Resurrection’ is a film bringing light during dark times and showcasing high quality Biblical drama, Derry’s Roma Downey tells Chai Brady Set during the period between Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection, a new film with Irish links focuses on the trials and uncertainty faced by the apostles in Jerusalem as they debate whether to flee,…
A politician’s question to the Minister for Health, asking whether it is an offence to organise public Mass, was ‘disallowed’ by the Ceann Comhairle. Carol Nolan TD of the Laois-Offaly constituency attempted to put the question to Minister Stephen Donnelly. She asked: “To ask the Minister for Health if it is an offence to organise…
Small churches in rural Ireland may have to close as depopulation and the devastating effects of Covid will lead to many being unsustainable, according to the Bishop of Killaloe. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Bishop Fintan Monahan said: “With the declining number of people that are living in rural areas, rural depopulation – it’s a…
Moving from maintenance to mission means reacting to accelerated decline due to the pandemic, writes Chai Brady The Government’s announcement of a raft of plans to rejuvenate rural Ireland have come at a time when rural Church communities face hard future decisions wrought by the pandemic. It may be too little too late. There is…
The Government in the south is neglecting the spiritual wellbeing of the Faithful, according to the Primate of All-Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh. Archbishop Eamon Martin said authorities in the North, where the Faithful have returned to public worship, “recognise that people’s spiritual, mental and emotional health helps them with their physical health as well”.…
A Belfast priest has voiced his disappointment after a flag showing loyalist killer Michael Stone was put up near Holy Cross Girls’ School in Ardoyne. Rector at Holy Cross Ardoyne, Fr Eugene McCarthy told The Irish Catholic the incident wasn’t representative of the Loyalist community. “I think it could be an embarrassment to the Loyalist people to…
During Holy Week the Faithful should keep Myanmar in their prayers as violent crackdowns on protests against a military coup have led to the deaths of hundreds of people, an Irish bishop has said. Bishop Denis Nulty of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin said the situation in the country “concerns me hugely”. He asked…
There is “strong hope” that families of the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre in west Belfast will see their loved ones vindicated as they await the coroner’s findings, according to the parish priest. Fr Paddy McCafferty PP of Corpus Christi, Ballymurphy said there has been 50 years of “anguish” in the lead up to fresh…
Myths and conspiracies about Covid would stop if everyone saw the first-hand effects, Chai Brady hears The worst thing anyone could do after the world manages to suppress the virus and life returns to some normality is to pretend nothing happened, as the many challenging situations people have faced must be acknowledged and new ways…
Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn has insisted that he believes gay couples who ask God for a blessing “will not be denied.” He was speaking after the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a statement – approved by Pope Francis – reiterating the Church’s ban on priests blessing same-sex unions. The decree said…