Amongst the many events to fall victim to storm Ophelia was the much-anticipated launch of Martin Luther: The Challenge Then and Now. The book, by Glenstal monk Fintan Lyons OSB, was due to be launched on Monday evening. It has now been re-scheduled for this coming Monday, October 23 at Newman’s University Church, St Stephen’s…

An Post’s new stamp commemorating the centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima is based on a statue owned by Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, and was designed by a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese. Rev. Martin Barlow, a husband and father of two who was ordained to the permanent diaconate in December…

‘Light touch’ regulation causes concern   A culture of light touch regulation leaves vital issues like Ireland’s protection of the unborn at the mercy of well-funded lobby groups, a member of the Dáil’s committee on the Eighth Amendment has warned. It comes as it was revealed that Amnesty International Ireland has pinpointed abortion as its…

Catholic charities have welcomed aspects of Budget 2018 but there were many “opportunities missed” with emphasise on housing and education. An increase of €5 to social welfare payments including the State pension, a Christmas bonus of 85%, a €20 increase for lone parents and the Jobseekers’ Transitional Scheme were said to be good steps, but…

An increase of €13m to Ireland’s overseas Official Development Assistance (ODA) has been welcomed by Irish charities but plans need to be made to reach UN goals. Catholic charity Trócaire, who help people in dire situations around the world, welcomed the announcement by the Finance Minister this week saying that it was a step towards…

Martin Luther’s original intent had been to renew and reform the Church, not to divide it, according to Limerick’s Bishop Brendan Leahy, calling for this to be remembered in today’s ecumenical efforts. Luther saw this as his reformation as based on a return to the original form of Christianity in the sense of the Gospel…

Archbishop Eamon Martin has praised sporting organisations for their commitment to helping people find a sense of belonging. At a Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at the weekend to celebrate the contribution of sport, Archbishop Eamon said “just as a supportive sports family celebrates success and also picks you up when things have gone…

Ireland’s most-senior Churchman is to address some of the major challenges facing Catholic schools in a major conference on education later this month. Archbishop Eamon Martin will be the keynote speaker at the Dublin conference on October 26 on the theme ‘Where now for faith-based education? Charting the future together’. The conference will look at…

News In Brief Personal friendships, encounter with Christ in prayer and the Scriptures, and witness to wider society can all act as bridges towards Church unity, Archbishop Eamon Martin has said. Maintaining that Ireland’s “people of faith …share the responsibility of leading the way in transforming relationships and in healing the legacy and pain of…

A devout Catholic runner blessed by the chaplain of the US House of Representatives before the Chicago Marathon went on to win the race. Galen Rupp became the first American man to win the event since 2002 after Fr Patrick Conroy blessed him and his team member before the race. Mr Rupp’s couch, Alberto Salazar,…