Discussing vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Church in Ireland is a subject that oddly causes friction and exposes a lot of underlying sensitivity. This is evidenced by our front page story this week where some members of religious orders have expressed disappointment that the forthcoming ‘Year of Vocations’ will focus on…
Opening new ecumenical pathways
Every year the week of prayer for Christian unity comes and goes. Traditionally, the week is celebrated between January 18-25, and is greeted with varying degrees of enthusiasm. If we’re honest, most of us pay little more than lip service to the commemoration. Coming as it does so close after Christmas, many parishes find themselves…
Growing a faith that endures
We need to re-present the faith again and be a renewed Church that goes out to meet people Bishop Niall Coll tells Michael Kelly When Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope in 1978 taking the name John Paul II, he famously told the pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square that the cardinals had chosen him da…
Setting out a vision that is based on hope for the future
Discernment, listening attentively for the voice of God, is not a new concept in our tradition. But it has come in to sharp focus given the synodal journey that Pope Francis has called Catholics to embark upon. It’s no easy task, and part of the challenge is discerning spirits. That is to say, whether what…
Derry plan aims to help parishes think outside local boundaries
Building open and welcoming faith communities is seen as key to a vibrant future, writes Michael Kelly Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown has asked people across the 51 parishes to put their shoulder to the wheel and embrace the mission of renewal of the local Church. At the weekend, Bishop McKeown published a pastoral letter…
2023 – A busy year for Catholics
Dear Friends of The Irish Catholic, The poet Patrick Kavanagh wrote in his poem Advent, “And Christ comes with a January flower”. The miracle of Christmas is extended into the New Year, where we discover the new life in Christ in the vulnerability of a tiny snowdrop that defies the dark nights and cold weather.…
A farewell to Benedict
‘Prophetic’ Pope remembered as a friend to Ireland The late Pope Benedict was “prophetic” and always showed a keen interest in Ireland, an Irish-born diplomat who worked closely with the Pontiff has told The Irish Catholic. As Benedict is laid to rest today (Thursday) in the grotto underneath St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican following…
For Benedict, friendship with God was the key
You can’t please everyone as Pope. John Paul II didn’t (and he’s a saint!), Pope Francis doesn’t and Pope Benedict XVI certainly didn’t. Probably that is a very good thing, since to lead with conviction and courage always risks upsetting people – particularly what Pope Francis describes as vested interests and ecclesiastical elites. On the…
Speaking up for persecuted Christians
Editor’s Comment The last year has been another bloody one for Christians around the world. Persecution continues to be a feature of the life of many Christians in the 21st Century – we hardly need reminding of the sober fact that the last 100 years has seen more Christians die for the Faith than in…
Benedict XVI ‘very sick’ – Pope Francis asks for prayers
Saying that retired Pope Benedict XVI was “very sick,” Pope Francis asked people to offer special prayers for him. “I would like to ask all of you for a special prayer for emeritus Pope Benedict,” Pope Francis said at the end of his weekly general audience today (Wednesday). The 95-year-old retired Pope “is sustaining the…
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