Large congregation recently gathered for Opus Dei Mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church Merrion Road, Dublin on the feast of St Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei. Mass was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, and refreshments were served to the present afterwards. In his homily, Archbishop Montemayor…
Opus Dei responds to strong criticisms by former member
Opus Dei has responded to criticisms contained in a widely publicised new book by a former member who complains about her treatment at the hands of the organisation. Anne Marie Allen, now 62, joined a two-year residential training course run by Opus Dei in Tuam, Co Galway, at the age of 15 in 1978. She…
Church leaders commend police forces in North and South
By Renata Steffens and Marion Hausmann PSNI officers have been praised by the Church Leaders’ Group in Ireland after they faced down recent protests in Ballymena. The praise came as Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore diocese marked the Church’s Jubilee year with members of the Defence Forces, the Gardaí and Emergency and Rescue…
Cork and Clonmel see big Eucharistic Processions
By Marion Hausmann and Renata Steffens Two major Eucharistic processions took place last weekend in Ireland, with one in Cork City continuing a 99-year tradition, and one in Clonmel taking place for the first time in 35 years. The procession in Cork saw thousands of people line the streets. The first one took place…
Promote a culture of life, annual Pilgrimage for Life told
Pilgrims attending this year’s National Pilgrimage for Life in Knock were urged to “promote a culture of life”. The call came from the Bishop of Kilmore, Martin Hayes, who led the pilgrimage. The event took place last weekend and was attended by thousands. The bishop said that “as a people of life and for life”,…
Trócaire boss moves to human rights body
Trócaire’s CEO Caoimhe de Barra is leaving 25 years after joining the organisation, in which she was Chief Executive Officer for seven years. Ms de Barra will now take up a new role with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). “The decision to leave Trócaire was not an easy one but after some consideration I felt the time…
Concepción: the story of love, faith and sacrifice of Bl. Conchita Cabrera
“She’s a donkey that carries gold and that gold is from God,” said filmmaker Juan Pablo Fajer Navarro describing Blessed Maria Concepción Cabrera Arias de Armida (also known as Conchita) “using her own words.” Mr Navarro produced an acted documentary telling the story of this laywoman who changed the Catholic Church in Mexico. Conchita was…
Rescind new organ donation law says leading theologian
One of Ireland’s leading moral theologians, Fr Vincent Twomey, has said Ireland’s new organ donation law should be rescinded. The new law came into effect on Tuesday. Called the ‘Human Tissue Act 2024’ it means organs can be removed from dead bodies without the deceased person’s explicit prior consent because the new law assumes the…
Romanian deacon hopes to be a priest in Ireland
A Romanian deacon who ministered in Naas Parish for over seven months will be Ordained to the Priesthood on June 24. Deacon Laurentiu-Daniel Timaru, known in Ireland as Deacon Laurence was in Naas/Sallins Parish from October 28, 2024, to June 2 this year. He is back to the seminary in Iași, Romania and will be…
The Filipino community in Ireland has a new chaplain
Just as the world was anticipating for the pronouncement of the new Pope, here in Ireland, we were also anticipating for the news of who would be our next [Filipino] chaplain,” said Lorna Patindol, a Pastoral Council member and catechist in St Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Rd. in Dublin. “We are very, very delighted that we…

Renata Steffens







