Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has hit out against those organising anti-mask protests and warned that any restrictions on the right to public worship must be minimal. Speaking this evening (Thursday) at an online gathering of the Dublin Council of Churches, Dr Martin praised the tireless commitment of those – particularly frontline workers – responding…
Irish missionaries who have returned from abroad are rejuvenating the Church here by bringing new life and skills learnt in countries where the Faith is more vibrant, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly has said. He said that Irish parishes and communities can learn a lot from the “wisdom” of missionaries who have worked where the Church is…
Senator Rónán Mullen has challenged the Government over what he has said is its failure to properly address the Chinese abuses of its Uyghur Muslim population. His motion condemning the persecution of the Uyghurs passed in the Seanad without opposition from the Government. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Senator Mullen said about motion, “It’s historic…
Italian teenager Carlo Acutis is “a model of evangelisation and discipleship in the 21st Century”, according to Sacred Heart Missionary Fr Alan Neville. Potentially the first saint with a website and to wear Nikes, Blessed Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis last weekend in Assisi. Fr Neville, formerly the vocation director for the MSC said…
New recommendations to remove Catholic symbols from state run secondary schools will impose “a secular understanding of religion on the school”, says Fr Eamonn Conway. According to The Irish Times, an unpublished document recommends phasing out Catholic symbols, compulsory graduation Masses and diocesan inspectors of religious teaching. Commenting on the report, Fr Conway said that…
Aontú representative Becky Kealy delivered a letter of support to the bishops of Cork and Ross, and Cloyne, saying that “young people want Mass back”. Ms Kealy said she delivered the letter after a group of young, practising Catholics contacted her to ask if she would submit a letter on their behalf. “They wanted to…
Chai Brady and Ruadhán Jones The Church should draw up guidelines for interfaith events with the Muslim community to avoid “ambiguous and potentially misleading situations” according to an expert in interreligious dialogue. Fr Michael O’Sullivan M.Afr., who is the current director of World Missions Ireland and has spent decades on the Middle East, said an…
The publication of Ireland’s new draft climate bill has been cautiously welcomed but with “quite serious reservations” from leading Church voices. The draft text of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 was published last week, which aims to impose emission limits on sectors. It sets a course for Ireland to become…
Former Vatican finance czar Cardinal George Pell met with Pope Francis in a private audience at the Vatican Monday. The Holy See press office said that the audience took place October 12, but gave no further details. A video of the meeting showed the Pope shaking the cardinal’s hand, while saying: “It is a pleasure to…
Approaching her 107th birthday, Nancy Stewart insists “a lot of prayers” will get us through the pandemic. “I’ve all my beads are worn,” she laughs as she speaks to The Irish Catholic, “from praying. It keeps me happy.” Staying close to God is all we can do as the pandemic and its ensuing restrictions continue…
Michael Kelly
Chai Brady