Approaching her 107th birthday, Nancy Stewart insists “a lot of prayers” will get us through the pandemic. “I’ve all my beads are worn,” she laughs as she speaks to The Irish Catholic, “from praying. It keeps me happy.” Staying close to God is all we can do as the pandemic and its ensuing restrictions continue…
Category: News
Archbishop pleads for help to end conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
As Armenia and Azerbaijan continued their battles and bombardments in early October, an Armenian archbishop pleaded for the intervention of the European Union to halt the conflict before it grew into a regional war. “We don’t want advice about a cease-fire, but real concrete steps so that the aggression stops definitively,” Armenian Catholic Archbishop Raphael…
Diocese of Brooklyn sues New York over new Mass restrictions
The Diocese of Brooklyn filed a lawsuit in federal court on October 8 against the state of New York, charging that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new orders reducing church capacity violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of the free exercise of religion. “The executive orders this week have left us with no other option than to go…
Prison chaplains’ role ‘unique and invaluable’, says Fr McVerry
Fr McVerry called for the important role chaplains’ play in prisons to be recognised after the chaplain of the Dóchas women’s prison left due to a “toxic environment”. Fr McVerry wrote in a recent article that “prison chaplains are unique, in that they have no agenda other than the welfare of prisoners and prison officers…thus,…
Whoopi! Sister Act 3 ‘may happen’, says Goldberg
Singer, actress and star of Sister Act, Whoopi Goldberg revealed that she is making plans to get a three-quel off the ground. Ms Goldberg announced her plans on the James Corden Show after he asked why the Sister Act 3 hasn’t happened. “Because for a long time they kept saying no one wanted to see…
Catholic priest freed two years after kidnapping
An Italian Catholic priest was freed on October 8, two years after he was kidnapped by a jihadist group. The office of the president of Mali announced the liberation of Fr Pierluigi Maccalli, a member of the Society of African Missions. He was one of four hostages released this week by fighters believed to be…
New Dominican answers call to ‘life of prayer’ in Meath
The Dominicans in Meath “rejoiced and celebrated” with Sr Maria Breidge as she made her first profession last week. Sr Breidge was a founding member of Mary’s Meals in her native Donegal and a supporter of their many fund-raising walks to Knock. It was on one of these walks that she began to consider her…
School records hopeful blessing in wake of mourning
Le Chéile Secondary School in Dublin have recorded a Le Chéile Blessing, inspired by the many international recordings of The Blessing which have been made during the pandemic. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, assistant principal Eoin Walshe told of a tragedy that struck the school in July of this year; the death of Dr Syed…
Trócaire welcome overseas aid commitment
The Church’s overseas aid agency Trócaire has welcomed the Government’s announcement this week to continue investment in the development budget. Following Tuesday’s budget, Caoimhe de Barra, Trócaire’s Chief Executive said: “We understand the Government is budgeting in deeply uncertain times and we are pleased that they have demonstrated an understanding for the need to continue…
Hindus plan anti-conversion campaign across India
Hindu groups in India are planning to launch a nationwide campaign to curb religious conversion, which they claim is a form of violence and a crime. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliate Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) say religious conversion is rampant in tribal-dominated areas and they plan to bring those converted back to the…



Ruadhán Jones





