A new survey carried out has shown that almost half (47%) of regular Mass goers would attend Mass today if they could, despite the ongoing pandemic. The poll, which was commissioned by the Iona Institute, found that 57% of regular Mass-goers went again over Christmas, and over 24% of the overall population. The same research…
Category: News
Faith leaders as important as health workers in pandemic response
Faith leaders have an important role to play as the world continues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and the ups and downs of vaccine distribution, participants in a webinar heard. That role is based on trust and accurately sharing information, said Kathryn Kraft, senior research adviser for faith and development at World Vision International.…
Poverty hitting Syrians hard as fighting wanes
Food, cooking fuel, jobs and, especially, hope are hard to come by in Syria, said two Catholic leaders reflecting on the 10th anniversary of the war. “We feel forgotten. The sanctions have thrown the country further into desperation: 83% of the population is below the poverty line. We can’t do it anymore. Enough,” said Maronite…
Vaccine delays a cause for mental health concern
The vaccine delay is the “overarching factor” that has changed people’s attitudes to the lockdown, according to Professor of Psychiatry Patricia Casey. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Professor Casey said the delay is “very distressing for people” and encouraged them to get in touch with their TDs to express how “disgruntled” they are. “This is…
Kicker Heaven-sent horse snatches Cheltenham victory
Trainer Paul Hennessy whose horse ‘Heaven Help Us’ snatched an impressive victory in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival opened up about the religious names of some of his other horses over the weekend. Mr Hennessy said on RTÉ’s CountryWide that the winning horse’s siblings all have religious names. The mother of Heaven Help…
US Pro-lifers say ERA would invalidate pro-life laws
If the Equal Rights Amendment were to become part of the US Constitution, its opponents say, it will actually harm women’s interests and invalidate pro-life policies, such as the federal Hyde Amendment and all state restrictions on tax-funded abortions. Its supporters say it will protect women from discrimination in the workplace, domestic violence and sexual…
Lebanon facing a ‘virus of crises’, says Caritas
In the throes of a collapsing economy exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and devastation from the catastrophic Beirut port blast last August, Lebanon is sinking further into a dire situation. “Now we have the ‘new’ poor,” Carmelite Fr Michel Abboud, president of Caritas Lebanon said of the rapidly rising segment of the country’s population. “So…
Vatican Roundup
‘I too kneel on Myanmar streets,’ says Pope As security forces in Myanmar have increased their crackdown on civilians, with disappearances, detentions and the killing of peaceful protesters, Pope Francis appealed for an end to violence and the start of dialogue. “Once again, and with much sorrow, I feel compelled to mention the tragic situation…
In Brief
Teen killed in stabbing at Canadian Catholic school A 17-year-old girl is dead following a stabbing at a Catholic high school near Edmonton Monday March 15 morning. According to local officials, police were summoned to Christ the King Catholic School in Leduc, Alberta shortly before 10 am. They said the girl had been stabbed in…
Mary comforts all those who die alone, Pope says at audience
Mary, the mother of God, has been present during the Covid-19 pandemic, and she was by the side of all those who died alone, Pope Francis said










Ruadhán Jones