Thousands of pilgrims from throughout the country climbed to the top of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’ in Co. Mayo last Sunday for the annual pilgrimage ‘Reek Sunday’. The event saw people from all ages ascending the rocky paths on the 765 metres mountain. Traditionally, Reek Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of July.…
Bishops and prominent prelates from around the world have joined the French Bishops’ Conference and US bishops in criticising the Paris Olympics opening ceremony held on July 26 for its depiction of the Last Supper, calling it a deeply deplorable derision of Christianity. The controversial scene, part of the €1.5 billion spectacle to kick off the…
The Hozana Association has launched a new app called ‘Rosary’ with the aim of supporting Olympic athletes through prayer. Cassandre Verhelst, a spokesperson for Hozana, spoke with this paper, encouraging the Irish Church to participate in the Olympics spiritually. “We thought the initiative was great and wanted to allow people to participate in the Olympics…
Pope Francis has appointed a Dublin diocesan priest as an Archbishop-elect. Monsignor John Kennedy is currently Secretary of the Disciplinary Section of the Dicastery for the Congregation of the Faith at the Vatican. The body has a Doctrinal and Disciplinary section each coordinated by a Secretary who assists the Prefect in the specific area of…
In a statement made last week, July 23, relating to the life and legacy of Bishop Eamonn Casey, Bishop Michael Duignan clearly expressed his commitment to “working with anybody affected, to help bring truth, healing and peace to such terribly painful situations.” The interment of the remains of Bishop Casey in the crypt beneath Galway…
Bishop Johan Bonny confirmed on July 25 that he was withdrawing from the high-profile role of key man on abuse, citing an excessive workload that he said was taking a toll on his health. His departure leaves the Belgian Church scrambling to find a successor before Pope Francis’ September 26-29 visit, which is expected to include…
The Bishops of Derry and Dublin have both announced that parishes in their respective dioceses are to be merged in recent days in order to better manage the prevailing challenges impacting parishes, namely the falling numbers of priests in active ministry. The Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown has announced that three Catholic parishes in counties…
Jarlath Burns, President of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and a proud Armagh man, whose son played in Sunday’s All Ireland final, stands also for his personal commitments. As a symbol of dedication, Burns wears two medals. On one lapel, he displays the medal of his office as GAA President. On the other, he proudly…
A priest is suing the gay dating and “hookup” app Grindr after the company reportedly failed to protect his data, leading to his resignation from a top position at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In July 2021, Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill resigned from his post as the general secretary of the USCCB ahead of a report…
Ciara Mageean hailed by parish before Paris Olympics Celebrated runner Ciara Mageean who is set to represent Ireland in the Paris Olympics has been described as a “natural evangeliser” who is not ashamed to speak of her Catholic Faith. Fr Feargal McGrady PP of Ms Mageean’s home parish of Portaferry, Co. Down said locally they…
Renata Steffens
Chai Brady