The Church and Irish society can be renewed if parents dedicate themselves to living Christian lives and providing examples of Christian living to their children, Pope Francis has said in an address to married and engaged couples in Dublin’s pro cathedral. Highlighting how he is in Ireland to preside over the closing stages of the…
Category: Irish News
Taoiseach outlines new vision for 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 cross the border and make a visit to the North.…
Follow ‘honest and forthright’ words with actions, President urges Pope
President Higgins has welcomed how Pope Francis has spoken of abuse in his recent pastoral letter, and urged him to follow these words with actions. The President took advantage of today’s papal visit to Áras an Uachtaráin today to raise the issue of suffering and hurt caused by child abuse perpetrated within the Church. According…
Pope says we must protect young people and unborn
BREAKING 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 right to life – a significant statement following the recent…
Arab families to attend WMOF
WMOF 2018 A number of Arab families are attending the World Meeting of Families in Dublin today, made possible by the Irish members of a religious order which supports the presence of Christians in the Holy Land. The families will be led by Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Vicar for Jerusalem. Families from Nazareth, Bethlehem and…
Garda warn commuters of traffic delays day after Pope Mass
WMOF 2018 Garda are advising all motorists and commuters travelling in the area of the Phoenix Park on Monday 27, the day after the papal Mass, to be aware of traffic restrictions. As there will be a greater amount of people around the city, they have asked everyone to plan their journey and leave…
LGBT issues are life issues, priest tells WMOF
WMOF 2018 Catholic parishes urged to stand up for persecuted gay people, writes Greg Daly In some countries, LGBT issues are ‘life issues’, the World Meeting of Families heard today, in an impassioned plea for parishes to welcome, integrate, and stand up for same-sex attracted and transgender Catholics. Addressing a packed hall, Fr James Martin SJ called for Catholic parishes to…
Ireland set for historic welcome for Pope Francis
Joyous pilgrims from across Ireland are hopping on planes trains and automobiles in their hoards this week to celebrate the importance of family and marriage in their lives. In a moment that will go down in history, Pope Francis will step off his plane at approximately 10.30am on Saturday to be greeted by clergy and…
Primate looks ahead to Northern visit
The Primate of All Ireland has expressed his hope that Pope Francis will visit the North of Ireland in the distant future, giving it the “dedicated time” it requires. Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, Archbishop Eamon Martin said that he pushed hard to encourage the Holy See that the Pope would make a visit…
Lukewarm reaction to Pope’s abuse letter
Pope Francis’ letter to the world’s Catholics on clerical sexual abuse has been praised for its strong language but criticised for lacking promises of action against clergy who have committed or concealed abuse. The 2,000-word letter, coming against the background of last week’s Pennsylvania Grand Jury report that revealed over 1,000 children were abused by…