An Irish TD’s downplaying of the humanitarian crisis and severe food shortage in Venezuela is “absolutely” false according to an Irish missionary. Fr Tom Jordan MSC, who has spent over half a century ministering in the beleaguered nation, said the situation is deteriorating. Already over three million people have left Venezuela according to the UN,…
Category: Irish News
Praise for French priest’s ‘act of faith’ in Notre-Dame
An Irish priest who retrieved the Blessed Sacrament from a burning convent has said a French priest gave a powerful testimony to his faith in the reality of Christ in the Eucharist by rescuing the Blessed Sacrament from Notre-Dame Cathedral last week. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr John Harris OP, who entered Drogheda’s Siena…
Easter bombs show war on Christians is spreading
For too long the media has played down the most appalling attacks against believers, writes James Bradshaw The bomb attacks which took place on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka have once again demonstrated the horrors which Christians are being subjected to the world over. Some 320 people were killed and another 500 were injured…
Political leafletting causes disquiet at Donegal friary
Concerns have been raised after cars were leafletted on behalf of a politician while people were celebrating Easter Mass in a friary in Donegal. Leaflets promoting Fine Gael’s Michael McClafferty were distributed without permission at Ards Friary over the weekend. The friary’s Guardian, Bro. Richard Hendrick OFM Cap., said he was “surprised” that it had…
After Notre Dame fire, Easter season offers new life to everyone
What we saw on the streets of Paris was people giving witness to the power of hope over adversity, writes Bishop Larry Duffy Images are important. They tell us stories. They explain things to us in ways that words sometimes can’t. They also nudge us into reflecting more deeply about some of the great…
Obstacles to Church renewal must be overcome – bishop
Priests must get used to a more inclusive style of ministry, where they work alongside parishioners, Bishop Brendan Leahy has said. Speaking at the Diocese of Limerick’s annual Chrism Mass, Bishop Leahy said Pope Francis’ vision directly addresses the needs of the Irish Church. “One of Pope Francis’ goals is to establish the synodal Church,…
Looking to a future that is pro-life
Dublin will play host to a major pro-life gathering next month to mark the anniversary of last year’s referendum removing the right to life from the unborn. ‘Ireland – the future is pro-life: fighting to restore a culture of life’ will be held on Saturday, May 25 and will focus on how the pro-life community…
Paris disaster ‘wake-up call’ for fate of Irish churches
Calls have been made for religious buildings across Ireland to be fire-proofed, amid fears that dilapidated churches could be easily prone to disaster. Speaking in the aftermath of the huge fire which ravaged Notre-Dame’s Cathedral earlier this month, Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said that he “worries” that churches in Ireland may meet a similar fate.…
Mayo abbey set to be pilgrim hub
A €3 million development at an 800-year-old abbey in Co. Mayo will serve as a hub for exploring the role of pilgrimages in Ireland and Europe’s Christian identity, according to the local parish priest. Fr Frank Fahey told The Irish Catholic that Mayo County Council’s support for building an interpretative centre at Ballintubber Abbey will…
Derry students dazzle in Passion play
While the Passion narrative was recorded over 2,000 years ago in the Middle East, a group of Derry-based schools decided this month to offer their own interpretation of those few fateful days. Students of St Joseph’s Boys’ Secondary School, St Columb’s College and St Mary’s College gathered in St Eugene’s Cathedral to visually retell the…