Fr Eamon Aylward SSCC believes online video conference platforms for streaming Mass, such as Zoom, are redefining the Eucharist. “I felt in my heart that it touched a spot and, out of this ‘evil’ (coronavirus) touching our world, is coming something good,” he told The Irish Catholic. “It is forcing us as a Church, and…
Category: Irish News
‘The sun dances on Easter morning’ – Archbishop Eamon
Róise McGagh Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland has issued a hopeful message for the people of Ireland after the announcement of extended coronavirus restrictions until May 5. In his Easter message the archbishop shared a memory of his mother, “leaving a basin of water out in the back yard on a bright Easter…
Bishop Phonsie carries cross around Waterford as sign of Good Friday hope
Róise McGagh Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan walked through an empty Waterford City yesterday morning carrying a large cross over his shoulder in commemoration of Good Friday. He invited people to take out their own cross, crucifix or light a candle and spend some time in silent prayer. “Some people stopped some knelt, there is something about…
TG4 to show documentary of Gleann Colm Cille priest on Easter Sunday
The story of how one Donegal priest’s resilence helped save his parish will be told in a new documentary airing on TG4 for Easter Sunday. Actor Stephen Rea narrates ‘Meitheal’, which explores how Gleann Colm Cille became a self-sufficient community with the support of Fr James Canon McDyer. The documentary looks at the parish’s struggle…
Priests’ commitment ‘more important than ever’ during crisis says Primate
The Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has said the promises priests make at ordination are “more important than ever” during the coronavirus crisis, “especially the call to offer daily the Eucharistic sacrifice for our people, the world and ourselves”. He said that “if we can search deep into the roots of our vocation to…
Priests face severe cuts as pandemic takes toll
Róise McGagh and Chai Brady Hard-pressed priests are facing cuts to their already modest salaries as church closure have led to a severe fall in income for parishes and dioceses across Ireland. A number of priests have told The Irish Catholic they are concerned about having to rely on their families for support. The Diocese…
Cardinal Pell acquitted after legal system ‘disaster’ caused conviction
Cardinal George Pell was acquitted of all convictions of child abuse by Australia’s Supreme Court following claims “bias media” and a legal system “disaster” was to blame for his initial conviction. The former Vatican treasurer walked free from jail this week after convictions relating to the sexual assault of two teenage choirboys in the 1990s were…
Priest criticised for allowing Muslim call to prayer in church
A priest’s decision to allow the Muslim call to prayer to feature during a Mass in Mayo was “misguided”, according to an expert on the Church in the Arab world. Fr Stephen Farragher of Ballyhaunis Parish organised for members of the Muslim community in Ballyhaunis to say the final prayer at 10am morning Mass last…
‘Incredible media bias’ led to Cardinal Pell’s false conviction
The conviction of Australian Cardinal George Pell of sex abuse sent shockwaves across the Church and around the world, but his acquittal by the country’s highest court this week, vindicating the prelate of all convictions, has heightened criticism of how his case was treated The former Vatican treasurer walked free from jail after convictions relating…
Shannon Parish launches creative writing competition
Fr Arnie Rosney PP in Shannon has recently launched a creative writing competition that will end on April 19. Fr Rosney has invited people across the island of Ireland to compose a prayer, a reflection, a short story or a poem while they are spending time at home. He asks that the piece reflects the…


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