Chaplaincy work is “slower, but hasn’t stopped,” according to Fr John Kelly of Tallaght University Hospital following the recent cyberattack. The HSE’s IT systems were brought to a standstill last week following a “significant” ransomware attack. “Naturally, patients are anxious, but like the HSE we here in Tallaght University Hospital will be assuring patients that…
Ahead of an audience with Pope Francis last Wednesday, Germany’s foreign minister welcomed a day of same-sex blessings held in defiance of the Vatican. Speaking before he met with the Pope on May 12, Heiko Maas backed the blessing ceremonies held in around 80 German cities on Monday in protest at the Vatican’s “no” to…
Throughout history and across the globe, lay catechists have been revered as saints, and many were martyred for their refusal to renounce their faith and their vocation to teach the Christian faith to others. Formally instituting “the ministry of catechist” with a document published May 11, Pope Francis praised “the countless lay men and women…
Jesuits prepare to celebrate Ignatian Year The roughly 15,000 members of the Society of Jesus, their collaborators and many people who draw on the spiritual heritage left by St Ignatius of Loyola are preparing to mark a special Ignatian Year beginning May 20 and lasting until the saint’s feast day, July 31, 2022. Anticipating the…
Those who overcome distractions or obstacles when praying learn the value of perseverance in times of trial, Pope Francis said
A high court judge has said Catholic businessman Declan Ganley’s case against Covid-19 restrictions on Mass is moot as the restrictions have lapsed
Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell has defended the place of Church teaching on sexuality in Catholic schools, despite a backlash by politicians. Dr Farrell insisted that the new sexuality and relationships resource Flourish affirms the “core of Judeo-Christian religion” and “celebrates life and love”. Dr Farrell was speaking at the annual conference of the Catholic Primary School…
A cardinal has recalled the moment that St John Paul II was shot in St Peter’s Square 40 years on from the attempted assassination. The Polish Pope collapsed into the arms of the then Msgr Stanisław Dziwisz when he was struck by four bullets on May 13, 1981. “Holding the slumping and heavily bleeding Holy…
A priest and nine other Catholics shot dead by the British Army in Belfast in 1971 “were entirely innocent of any wrongdoings” and killed “without justification,” a fresh inquest has found. The coroner described the use of force by the troops as “disproportionate” and there were emotional scenes as families reacted to the vindication of…
There was “absolute delight” as people returned to Mass this week, after stark figures revealed that one in four pre-pandemic regular church-goers said that the pandemic-imposed Mass ban has harmed their mental health. A quarter of those polled said the inability to gather for Mass had affected their sense of wellbeing while 61% of respondents…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady