There has been widespread criticism of the criminalisation of Mass with people drawing obvious historic parallels, writes Ruadhán Jones Garda roadblocks barring parishioners from attending Mass in Co. Cavan raised historic parallels with penal times, as it was confirmed over the weekend that public worship is now deemed a legal offence. The confirmation came when…
Churches opened their doors to the Faithful for a “wonderful” return to Mass in Northern Ireland on Friday March 26. Fr Tim Bartlett, administrator of St Mary’s Church, Belfast, said that it was a privilege to hold public Mass for the first time since January. “You could see the smiles on everybody as they were…
The Word is Very Near You by Fr Wilfrid Stinissen OCD (Ignatius Press £12.50/€12.00) W e all want a personal relationship with God. But that seems very difficult when, more often than not, he doesn’t speak to us in prayer. He may prompt or console, but verbal communication or physical contact – two essential components to…
All staff and teachers working in special schools or in special classes attached to mainstream schools must be prioritised for vaccination, say the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA). “It is vital that all staff [in special schools and special classes] are vaccinated to reduce the demand for substitutes, or we will assuredly face the…
Personal Profile When Fr Norman Davitt SVD was nine years old – this being back in 1930 – the local parish priest came across him in a field near the Church. “He said, ‘what do you want to be’, I said, ‘I want to be a missionary’,” Fr Davitt explains. “About two years later, he…
The commemoration of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection during the Easter triduum brings much-needed hope to a world beset by uncertainty, Pope Francis said
The way the Church ministers was “already fraying at the edges” before the pandemic, said Bishop Denis Nulty
“It’s not pastoral care” to bless the relationships of same-sex couples, says Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry, following backlash over a Vatican document on the blessing of same-sex unions. The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith’s (CDF) recent document which ruled that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions sparked controversy, as priests and bishops in…
The Irish state has been given two weeks to clarify whether, in fact, there is a law against Masses being said in public. The instruction was made on Tuesday March 23 by Judge Charles Meenan, as part of the constitutional case being taken by businessman Declan Ganley, according to Gript.ie. Mr Ganley’s lawyers used a…
Parishioners gathered in Wexford and Dublin this weekend to pray for a return to public worship, as Christians face a second Easter without Mass. “Sixty people gathered together, all safely spaced out,” said Ms Katie Black, who was involved in the gatherings. “Everyone was delighted to come together and some even expressed later that they…