Ruadhán JonesArchbishop Eamon Martin launched the 2020 online Advent Calendar yesterday [November 24], urging people to use it to “spiritually prepare” during restrictions.
Archbishop Eamonn Martin urges Christian’s to ‘delve deeper’ with online Advent Calendar
Category: Irish News
Archbishop questions why people can buy alcohol, but not go to church
Michael Kelly
Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has said that he cannot understand why it might be possible to buy alcohol but not visit a church. He also urged politicians to understand that Christmas is about more than “eating and drinking”. Archbishop Eamon said the decision by the North’s Executive to close churches in hugely disappointing…
Eamon Ryan expresses support for churches reopening for Mass in December
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he believes churches should be reopened once Level 5 restrictions lift on December 1. He expressed the belief that “controlled environments” should be allowed to reopen, arguing that gyms, shops and golf courses should be opened again come December 1 alongside churches. This morning on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Ryan said,…
Cavan priest threatened with prosecution following public Masses
The Anglo-Celt has reported that a Cavan-based priest was threatened with prosecution after gardaí attended his church last Sunday to check compliance with Covid-19 regulations. While the country remains under Level 5 restrictions, public Masses remain suspended, with the exception of six for a wedding and 25 for a funeral Mass. A priest in Cork was…
Dublin priests fret over pay as donations are in freefall
Chai Brady
EXCLUSIVE Priests in Dublin have expressed fears that the diocese may soon run out of money to pay their modest salaries due to a huge shortfall in collections The Irish Catholic can reveal. This comes on top of a 25% cut in pay back in May in a bid to plug the financial hole exacerbated…
Pressure mounts on Goverment as Church leaders call for a return to public worship
Church leaders in Sligo and the Bishop of Raphoe have mounted pressure on Government by issuing statements calling for public worship to be reinstated. Eighteen Christian leaders, including Bishop Kevin Doran, signed a letter issued by their group ‘Sligo Churches Together’ saying they are “disheartened” that at a time when their Christian community “is most…
Priest defends outdoor Mass broadcast after two noise complaints
A Galway priest has defended his church’s broadcast of Mass through their outdoor speakers after two noise complaints were made to the council. Fr Tadhg Quinn PP of St John the Apostle Church in Knocknacarra said they have been broadcasting the Mass outside the church and online since the last lockdown in March. “We’re getting…
Govt ‘secrecy’ around adverse abortion outcomes ‘beggars belief’
Independent TD Carol Nolan has criticised out at Government secrecy regarding post-abortion care, questioning the absence of a national data collection mechanism. Ms Nolan was frustrated with the Health Minister’s response to a question regarding the number of patients who received post-abortion care in maternity hospitals from January 2019 to present. “It almost beggars belief…
Kerry locals oppose Eir mast by popular holy well
The community of Ballyheigue, Kerry, fear a new telecommunications mast near Our Lady’s well and grotto will take away from its spiritual look. The Ballyheigue holy well attracts upwards of 5,000 people for the annual Pattern Festival held in September. Ballyheigue local Brendan Moriarty said that the move “doesn’t make sense” and says the community…
Knock Shrine look for heroes of lockdown with Parish Hero Award
Knock Shrine want to celebrate the “heart-warming” work being done “under the radar” by local parishioners over the course of lockdown. Nominations are invited from parishes throughout the island of Ireland, with the nomination window closing on December 4. In a statement on the award, Fr Richard Gibbons, rector of Knock Shrine, said the “enormous…