Ireland is “not exempt from racism” and we must work to overcome all forms of hatred, said Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick. In his homily last weekend, Bishop Leahy described Trinity Sunday as being about the “celebration of diversity in unity and unity in diversity”. “It’s a call to us all to appreciate, in a…
Almost a hundred St Vincent de Paul (SVP) charity shops reopened this week, after 12 weeks of closure led to losses estimated up to a quarter of their yearly take. “Our shops are essential [to SVP’s service],” said Dermot McGilloway, SVP national retail development manager, speaking to The Irish Catholic. “There is a fundraising element to…
Moving worship online has led to an increase in prayer and religious practice, according to a new survey of faith leaders writes Ruadhán Jones Before the pandemic began, 44% of faith communities on the island of Ireland did not provide online worship opportunities; now this figure is down to just 13%. This is just one…
Virus lockdown has increased people’s faith The challenge of re-opening churches for public Mass should be used as a moment to revitalise parish councils, a leading theologian has said in response to new research which shows increased online and offline prayer and practice. Prof. Eamonn Conway told The Irish Catholic: “The main positive I…
More than 300 Christian congregations across the island of Ireland have come together to record an ancient blessing of protection for frontline workers. The Irish Blessing was released on YouTube and has more than 300,000 views. Fr Martin Magill, of St John’s parish Belfast, was one of the organisers of the video and says he’s “delighted”…
“We have heard with quiet joy the decision of Pope Francis to canonise Brother Charles,” said the priest responsible for the Jesus Caritas fraternity in Ireland. Fr Niall Ahern said that “all over the world small groups of people of every faith have been inspired by this hermit priest, who during his own life had no…
The first effect of the pandemic was physical,but a secondary effect was psychological and emotional writes Ruadhán Jones The spread of the coronavirus is a new and a challenging event and can be worrying. It can affect our mental health, leading to a number of different outcomes such as increased anxiety, stress, and loneliness.…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has criticised the Government’s pandemic plan, saying he saw “no logic in deferring the phased re-opening of places of worship until July”, while sporting events and restaurants will open in June. Mr Tóibín called on the Taoiseach to “listen to the concerns of faith groups and their detailed ideas and plans” on reopening places…
Calls are growing for the canonisation of a Derry-born nun with people attributing favours to her intercession, writes Ruadhan Jones April 16 marks the fourth anniversary of the death of Derry woman Sr Clare Crockett in 2016. She died a relative unknown in an earthquake in Ecuador where she was ministering. She was there…
