A Belfast-based priest has decried the “despicable” actions of fraudsters trying to con vulnerable people out of their money by pretending to collect parish envelopes. This comes after the Diocese of Down and Connor reported that certain “unscrupulous individuals” were offering to take weekly parish envelopes – which currently aren’t being collected. Fr Paddy McCafferty…
Prof. Des O’Neill, a consultant geriatrician at Tallaght University Hospital in Dublin has claimed that what is playing out now in nursing homes with Covid-19 is the failure by successive minister for health to prioritise care for older citizens. He insists that blame for the failure to prevent the catastrophic spread of the virus in…
A 103-year-old nun has become the oldest person in Ireland to contract and survive the coronavirus. Sr Martha Hickey, an Infant Jesus sister, got the deadly virus over three weeks ago and, against the odds, has made a miraculous recovery. The centenarian, who has devoted over 80 years of her life to the Church, first…
A new poll has revealed that 27% of Irish people say they have watched or listened to at least one religious service during the current period of lockdown. The same poll found that 18% of people reported that they are praying more than they usually would. The research – carried out by Amarach on behalf…
The leaders of Ireland’s main Christian traditions have commended those working on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic for “their work, courage and compassion”. They also encouraged those taking part in the evening appreciation of healthcare workers to pray for them when the applause has ended and people go back into their homes. Archbishop Eamon…
Every generation is prone to blindness to injustices, the Bishop of Derry has warned. In his homily for Divine Mercy Sunday in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Dr Donal McKeown warned that “there is a widespread narrative that the past was full of outrageous mistakes and that we must consign those attitudes to the dustbin of history.…
A feature film about the story of the children of Fátima has been delayed until near the end of the summer due to the coronavirus. The historical drama, directed by Marco Pontecorvo and distributed by Picturehouse, was originally scheduled for release on April 24, but has now been pushed back until August. “The circumstances that the…
A Co. Cavan-based priest has hit out at a newspaper over what he described as a “cheap shot” against well-known chef Neven Maguire. Fr Charlie O’Gorman hit out at a recent article in the Sunday Times which he believed had been critical of Mr Maguire. In a subsequent letter to the newspaper Fr O’Gorman, formerly…
Sr Stan has appealed for support for Focus Ireland as a video of a child teaching other children how to avoid Covid-19 gained traction online. The video of the child who is homeless demonstrating how washing hands kills the virus has over 20,000 views across social media. Sr Stan said: “This crisis is additional stress for…
To combat the effects of lockdown, Knock Shrine will broadcast pilgrimage Masses every Sunday at 3 pm, it has been announced. The Masses will be celebrated each weekend “for the pilgrimage groups that traditionally travel…for their own celebrations”. The pilgrimage will include Rosary at 2.30 pm, followed by Mass and Benediction at 3 pm. The…
Chai Brady