Ruadhán JonesPope Francis today (Wednesday) encouraged people to embrace the contemplative dimension of being human both in prayer and their daily lives
Pope: The contemplative dimension of being human gives life flavour
Category: News
Archbishop Nearly welcomes Knock inclusion in pandemic prayer marathon
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has welcomed the inclusion of Knock, the international Marian Shrine, as one of thirty shrines around the world invited by Pope Francis to be part of the Pope’s marathon of prayer for the end to the pandemic. In a statement, Archbishop Neary said that Knock Shrine ”welcomes the Holy Father’s…
Apostolic Nuncio sends ‘deepest sympathies’ after Irish citizen killed in Burkino Faso
Chai Brady
A Cork-man who is the Pope’s representative in Burkino Faso has extended his “deepest sympathies” after a Zambian-born Irish citizen was killed by terrorists in the African country. Conservationist Rory Young, co-founder and president of anti-poaching organisation Chengeta Wildlife was killed on Monday while leading a wildlife protection patrol in Arly National Park, He was…
Mass ban lifted as public worship permitted from May 10
Michael Kelly
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that a controversial ban on public worship will be lifted on May 10, meaning Catholics will be free to attend Mass without fear of criminalisation. Worshippers in the Irish Republic have been forbidden to attend Mass for 27 of the last 30 weeks, the Government moving recently to make it…
Death occurs of Tom Mullen, father of Senator Rónán Mullen
The death has occurred of Tom Mullen of Ahascragh, Co. Galway, father of Senator Rónán Mullen. Mr Mullen died yesterday (April 28). He had been ill for the last number of years. Senator Mullen – an Independent member of the Senate and an outspoken voice on the right to life and human dignity – revealed…
Archbishop calls halt to First Communion plans
EXCLUSIVE Theologians criticise Government over-reach Chai Brady and Jason Osborne Archbishop Dermot Farrell has insisted that parishes in Dublin must abandon plans to hold First Holy Communion and Confirmation ceremonies, warning that it may be the autumn before public health rules allow the celebrations to go ahead. In a letter to priests obtained by The…
Church urged to defy Government and restart Mass
The bishops have been urged by Catholic businessman Declan Ganley to reopen churches and begin Masses from Saturday in an act of peaceful civil disobedience, as “every other avenue has been tried”. “We have to, we’re not going to get our cases heard in anything like a timely manner,” Mr Ganley told The Irish Catholic.…
Priest criticises Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe for ‘cheap shot’
A Dublin priest has criticised remarks made by Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe, who said the Church should use the proceeds of a 2019 land sale to build social housing rather than the likes of pastoral initiatives. Fr John Gilligan PP said: “Politicians need to be realistic. It’s easy to throw out these cheap shots…
Indian Jesuit victim of shocking abuse of law say Irish Jesuits
Fr John Guiney SJ, Director of Irish Jesuit Missions, called for the immediate release on bail of Fr Stan Swamy SJ, who has been incarcerated for more than 200 days awaiting trial. Fr Swamy’s arrest, on the grounds of terrorist activity, is a “shocking abuse of the law”, Fr Guiney told The Irish Catholic. “His…
TDs call for Govt grants for parishes which moved online
TDs have rallied around a Tipperary priest who questioned why parishes haven’t received financial support from Government despite their direction to move services online. Fr Michael Toomey PP of Ardfinnan and Newcastle told The Irish Catholic he spent €5,000 setting up webcams to broadcast services to his parishioners in the churches in his parish. He…