WMOF 2018   For the hundreds of speakers and thousands of pilgrims who attended the World Meeting of Families Pastoral Congress in the RDS last week, it was a roaring success. People from 116 countries arrived in Dublin for the congress which ran from August 22-24 with 37,000 attendees throughout the three days. There was…

The Pope in Ireland   Visiting Áras an Uachtaráín The personal affection of President Michael D. Higgins for Pope Francis was evident when the Holy Father arrived at Áras an Uachtaráin. Mr Higgins has often referenced the Pontiff in his speeches and clearly sees him as a towering figure on the international stage when it comes…

The Pope in Ireland   Meeting the Taoiseach at Dublin Castle Pope Francis has said the clerical abuse of young people in Ireland was a “betrayal of trust” by Church authorities, and remains a source of “pain and shame” for the Catholic community. He also attacked our “throw-away culture” which strips the unborn of the…

The Pope in Ireland   An Taoiseach on Church-State relations Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that religion will continue to play an important role in Irish society in the future. In a carefully-worded speech to welcome the Pope to Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar also said he hoped that the Pope would soon be able to…

The Pope in Ireland Chai Brady and Greg Daly   Meeting new families Highlighting how he is in Ireland to preside over the closing stages of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) in St Mary’s Pro Cathedral, the Pope praised marriage as being “about a love that gives rise to new life”. Recalling how Christian…

The Pope in Ireland   Visiting the homeless After touring the streets of Dublin, at around 4.30pm Pope Francis visited the Capuchin Day Centre, paying tribute to the dignity of the homeless, and meeting with several families who are in need. The Pontiff spoke with the co-director of the centre, Bro. Kevin Crowley, and thanked…

The Pope in Ireland   Festival of Families In an array of artistic displays, musical numbers, and family testimonies, a cross-generational audience of over 80,000 pilgrims shared and rejoiced in their Faith in the presence of Pope Francis at Croke Park. Celebrating the Festival of Families in the stadium on a brisk Saturday night, the…

The Pope in Ireland   Visiting the Marian Shrine Praying for the victims of abuse in Ireland, Pope Francis begged the Lord for forgiveness and for the intercession of Our Lady to heal survivors. During his visit to the Marian Shrine in Knock the Pope described the clerical abuse scandals in Ireland as an “open…

The Pope in Ireland   Even wind and rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of up to 300,000 pilgrims who made their way to Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Sunday where a carnival atmosphere surrounded the closing Mass of the ninth World Meeting of Families. A host of performers ranging from Audrey Assad and Eimear Quinn to…

The Pope in Ireland   The closing Mass in Phoenix Park Christians face enormous challenges in bearing witness to their Faith, but must never be “swayed or discouraged” by those who resist it, the Pope has said. Speaking in Dublin’s Phoenix Park at the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families, the Pope said…