Ruadhán JonesAttending public Mass is a legal offence, the State confirmed in the High Court Tuesday April 13, claiming that the restrictions are “justified and proportionate”
State tells High Court legal Mass ban ‘justified and proportionate’
Category: News
Archbishop Eamon Martin offers prayers on death of Britain’s Prince Philip
Michael Kelly
The Primate of All-Ireland has paid tribute to the contribution to peace and reconciliation of the Duke of Edinburgh who has died aged 99. Archbishop Eamon Martin also offered prayers for Prince Philip’s soul and the divine consolation of his family. Buckingham Palace announced this morning (Friday) that the husband of Queen Elizabeth II had…
Bishop Treanor urges politicians to avoid ‘damaging politicisation’ as unrest engulfs Belfast
The bishop of Down and Connor has urged politicians to be more careful about their language as Belfast has been engulfed in nightly violence for over a week
Pope Francis to offer Divine Mercy Sunday Mass in church with St Faustina’s relics
On Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis will offer Mass in a church containing the relics of both St Faustina Kowalska and St John Paul II. This will be the second year that the Pope has chosen to offer Mass in the church, Santo Spirito in Sassia, which was transformed into a center for Divine Mercy…
Bishops announce submission phase of synodal path
The Irish Bishops have announced the initial submission phase of the upcoming synod, which was announced March 10. Commenting on the development, Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick said the bishops were inviting submissions “to reflect on what methods/models to adopt” in the coming two years of conversations. He gave as examples “parish hall meetings, focus…
‘Clerical’ Church must learn from young Catholics
Voices at the forefront of youth ministry have warned that if the Church is to avoid attempts to “water down” its core teaching it must take the lead from young people who are already practising Catholics and engaged with faith. These calls come amid concerns that in an attempt to reach those on the margins…
Ceann Comhairle disallows TD’s query on Mass ban
Chai Brady
A politician’s question to the Minister for Health, asking whether it is an offence to organise public Mass, was ‘disallowed’ by the Ceann Comhairle. Carol Nolan TD of the Laois-Offaly constituency attempted to put the question to Minister Stephen Donnelly. She asked: “To ask the Minister for Health if it is an offence to organise…
Small rural churches face closure due to pandemic and depopulation
Small churches in rural Ireland may have to close as depopulation and the devastating effects of Covid will lead to many being unsustainable, according to the Bishop of Killaloe. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Bishop Fintan Monahan said: “With the declining number of people that are living in rural areas, rural depopulation – it’s a…
Priest celebrates Easter Sunday Mass at penal rock to draw attention to Mass ban
Fr Gerard Quirke said celebrating Easter Mass at a penal times Mass rock on Achill Island has a “particular resonance” given the legal ban on Masses. Fr Quirke of the Achill parish celebrated 7am Mass at the site which was used during the era of penal laws when Catholics endured restrictions on their civil liberties.…
Pope’s letter to former Presbyterian leader ‘significant’ as NI faces fraught times
Pope Francis’ letter to Northern Irish Presbyterian Rev. Norman Hamilton “modelled respectful dialogue” as the North faces “fraught times”, said Fr Martin Magill. Fr Magill, a Belfast-based priest and organiser of 4 Corners Belfast, praised the letter for “modelling dialogue and respectful dialogue”. “I welcome it especially because we are in another of our fraught…