Catholics who are suffering from or caring for people with the coronavirus will be granted a plenary indulgence, the Vatican has announced. Pope Francis revealed at the weekend that he will deliver an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing this Friday (March 27) at 5pm Irish time. Usually given only immediately after a new Pope’s election…
Chai Brady and Aron Hegarty A third of people watching television in Ireland on Sunday at 11am were watching Mass according to RTÉ’s Head of Religious Programmes, with the number of viewers rising substantially. Over 160,000 people tuned in to Mass celebrated by Fr Gabriel Kinahan on March 22 as the coronavirus (Covid-19) continues…
Covid-19: The Faithful respond Although the work of healthcare chaplains is generally face-to-face, “listening compassionately, connecting immediately and loving unconditionally”, the Director of Pastoral Care in Tallaght Hospital told The Irish Catholic they have updated how they connect with patients in light of the coronavirus crisis. They will now be giving patients the option…
Covid-19: The Faithful respond In Cobh parish they have been receiving Mass via Facebook Live every morning at 9am. On Sunday Bishop William Crean of the Diocese of Cloyne celebrated Mass with Cobh’s clergy. Jennifer Buckley of Cobh Parish said: “Our musical director Dominic Finn and Cantor Patrick O’ Donoghue played and sang from…
A Northern Irish priest has paid tribute to the late American singer Kenny Rogers as a man who “found his Faith” and “made his peace” for mistakes made earlier in his career. Fr Brian D’Arcy, a Passionist priest based in Co. Down, said the late Rogers, who died on March 20 aged 81, embarked on…
Covid-19: The Faithful respond A community of contemplative nuns, the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, who came to live in Waterford in January last year have set up a new prayer initiative called ‘Dial a Prayer’. The sisters want to bring the intentions, thoughts and prayers of people in the Diocese of Waterford and…
A Wexford priest will be lighting a candle every day at about 8pm for all those involved in the fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19) as well as those affected. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr Tom Dalton PP of Riverchapel parish in the Diocese of Ferns said he found “great solace in it”. “I’ve decided…
Despite the fact that 79% of those who responded to a public consultation opposed the changes, the British government today published regulations regarding the provision of abortion in the region that will come into effect next week. In 2019, abortion was decriminalised in the region over the heads of locally-elected politicians by British MPs in…
The Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin joined bishops, priests and people in their homes in praying for protection against the coronavirus today at noon. “We are linked in a beautiful comminution of prayer all over Ireland at this moment, bishops and priests are leading this prayer in the cathedrals, churches presbyteries and homes around…
Bishop Brendan Leahy celebrated an ecumenical prayer crisis alongside Bishop Kenneth Kearon of the Church of Ireland, through a webcam from Mount Saint Alphonsus in Limerick city at 11am this morning. The Bishops prayed the Our Father “together with everyone throughout the world” as urged by Pope Francis in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. They…
Michael Kelly