A Kerry priest who is celebrating car park Masses for people struggling or unable to watch online Mass has said “we can’t let fear dominate us”. Fr Kevin McNamara PP of Moyvane, who started celebrating outdoor Masses with his congregation, who stay in their cars throughout, said there has been a “great response”. “They’re seeing…
Lorna Siggins The Government has been called on to clarify whether church weddings and baptism ceremonies can proceed with small numbers under phase one of Covid-19 restrictions. Fr John Carroll, Ferns diocesan secretary and communications officer in Co Wexford, said there appeared to be disconnect between Government regulations and their interpretation by the Garda. A…
Archbishop Eamon Martin has appealed to Catholic schools in the North to set aside the traditional transfer tests which decide based on academic selection which secondary school a child attends. In a letter sent this week to 165 schools across the dioceses of Armagh and Dromore, Archbishop Eamon insisted that children are under enough pressure…
The Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education (MDCCE) aims to assess how the coronavirus pandemic has affected churchgoers with a new survey published last week. Dr Gareth Byrne, Director of the MDCCE, said: “It is important to document the response of churchgoers to the Covid-19 crisis and its impact on their faith lives and connection…
A group of seamstresses working in direct provision centres have come together to make over 1,000 face masks a week to protect the vulnerable from Covid-19. The Sanctuary Mask Initiative (SMI) is spearheaded by BetterTogether and the Cork Migrant Centre, with the support of the UCC University of Sanctuary, UCC Feminist and Fáilte Refugees Societies.…
Almost nine out of 10 readers of The Irish Catholic online want a swifter return to public Masses as soon as it is safe to do so, rather than the July 20 deadline set by the Government in the Republic. In the North, where a ban on churches opening was lifted this week, there is…
The publishers of Magnificat magazine have launched an Adoration Companion to assist Catholics during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a practice that seems to have increased during the current Covid-19 period. Fr Sebastian White OP who edited the Companion describes the book as “A treasury of teachings, prayers, meditations, and witnesses from the saints to…
The postulator and the commission involved in investigating the life of Pope John Paul II for his sainthood cause found no evidence that the Pontiff knowingly neglected or covered up abuse scandals, the postulator said. Msgr Slawomir Oder, the promoter of the cause, told reporters in Rome during an online meeting that he and investigators…
In preparation for Monday’s resumption of public liturgies in Italy and a morning Mass with Pope Francis at the tomb of St John Paul II, Vatican workers cleaned and sanitised the inside of St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday. Vatican workers also will sanitise the other basilicas in Rome: St John Lateran, St Mary Major and…
Chai Brady and Róise McGagh Bishops have expressed cautious optimism for a return to public Masses before the Government’s July 20 target. At the same time, there has been a welcome for the decision of the northern Executive to put the reopening of churches as a key priority in easing lockdown in the region.…
Chai Brady
Michael Kelly