The hierarchy has welcomed as “encouraging news” the fact that a number of vaccines for Covid-19 “are at an advanced stage of preparation and are likely to be available for use in the near future”. They have also called on Catholics to support the vaccination programme. In a statement the Irish bishops’ conference said that…
Chai Brady and Jason Osborne Healthcare chaplains have said they hope the roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine will be the beginning of a new era of hope for patients and the wider community. A nurse in Belfast became the first person on the island of Ireland to get the vaccine on Tuesday – the feastday…
Baroness Nuala O’Loan has said that a statement made by the Association of Catholic Priests advising that Christmas Masses move online was “overly cautious”. The ACP said last week that there is “alarm” in parishes regarding how Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses will be organised due to the traditionally higher number of people attending.…
2,000 Queen’s University Belfast students unable to return home for Christmas because of the pandemic are set to receive a care package, thanks to the university’s Catholic chaplaincy and the efforts of local businesses and charities. The operation to distribute the packs launched into action last week, prepared by a team of 20 student volunteers…
A Brazilian nun who has advanced to the finals of TV cookery show MasterChef said she received “divine help” and was praying the entire time she was cooking. She said it was the divine help which directed her attention to the fact that the shrimp she was supposed to cook were not deveined. “If I…
A new report by the All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group (OLDG) highlights a “horrific” lack of pain relief for babies in late-term abortions. Evidence The report, ‘Late-Term Abortion and Foetal Pain – Proposing a Humane Response’, examines scientific evidence from around the world that shows unborn babies feel pain before 20 weeks. The…
The Irish Bishops Conference have called on parishes to support charities as Covid-19 takes a toll on donations. In a statement from the conference, the bishops appealed for people to bring “the hope and joy of Christ’s birth to people who are sick, isolated, lonely or poor”. “A simple act of kindness can make such…
Chai Brady, Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne There is widespread relief at a return to public Mass in the Republic, with many parishes now looking to the challenge of having as many people as possible present for Christmas Mass. Catholics in the North, however, will have to wait until December 11 before a return to…
Tribute was paid to Sr Ann Thomas on Liveline earlier this week, as Ger Smith told of her care for himself and his siblings in Ballymun after their mother was taken into care for Schizophrenia. Mr Smith related how himself and his siblings were left in a flat in Ballymun, with his brother being the…
Bishop Paul Dempsey called on Government to recognise the integral role churches play in their communities, saying their work is often overlooked. Heart of society Bishop Dempsey said the Church should be at the heart of society, not at the fringes and it should be “drawn on more from the political sphere”. “I think somehow…
Michael Kelly
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones