Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has asked the Faithful to put aside a day for God each week while the Sunday obligation is lifted due to the coronavirus, in his homily for Reek Sunday. Despite the Reek Sunday pilgrimage being cancelled this year, several people still braved the Croagh Patrick climb, some not wearing shoes.…
Pope Francis has exhorted young people to reach out in tenderness to the elderly amid the loneliness of the coronavirus pandemic. “In the memory of Ss Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, I would like to invite young people to make a gesture of tenderness towards the elderly, especially the most lonely ones in…
European bishops have welcomed what they described as the solidarity shown by EU governments in agreeing the Covid-19 stimulus package. However, they warned that the process will be a failure unless it is focused on the weaker members of the bloc. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European…
Professional footballer Alex Samuel praised God for being signed to the Wycombe Wanderers FC on social media in a message posted beside a picture of him kneeling and praying on the pitch. Alex took to Twitter to reveal how much God helped him in his career, saying: “This time two years ago I was out…
The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) has claimed that the recently-launched strategy on mental health lacks real substance. “While a refreshed mental health policy is to be welcomed, the fact that the oversight group who developed the policy did not include any core health and social care professional members of mental health multidisciplinary teams…
Sr Ruth Lewis, also known as the Mother Teresa of Pakistan, died on 20 July, a victim of the coronavirus. She contracted the virus after making the decision to personally care for 21 infected residents of the Dar ul Sukhun home (House of Peace), which she co-founded in 1969. Known across Pakistan as the ‘Mother…
The Diocese of Rouen, France will mark the fourth anniversary of the murder of Fr Jacques Hamel with a Mass and procession at the local church on Sunday. Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen and Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort of Reims, president of the French bishops’ conference, will be present, according to local media. French Minister…
An Irish charity has given pilgrims the opportunity to take part in a virtual Camino to help raise money to assist those suffering from homelessness. Focus Ireland launched their virtual walk due to the coronavirus pandemic. The charity said online: “This year due to Covid-19, we may not be able to go on our annual…
Historic manuscripts get a modern Vatican treatment A revamped website for the Vatican Apostolic Library brings modern technology to the study of historic manuscripts. “We are the Pope’s librarians because the library is his and has been open by his desire for many centuries,” Msgr Cesare Pasini, library prefect, told Vatican News. “So, we want to be…
After lockdown, Italy’s bishops seek new ways to engage parishioners Italy’s bishops will need to help their communities participate more in parish life and return to taking part in the sacraments in ways that continue to respect evolving measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, according to their conference leadership. When Masses were once…
Chai Brady