An NBA (National Association of Basketball) player in the US has said that the Bible “will help bring us close together and get past skin colour”. The Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, who is black, was the first NBA player to stand for the national anthem after the league was postponed for 20 weeks due…
Category: News
Fear to frustration in parishes over Midlands local lockdowns
Ruadhán Jones, Chai Brady and Jason Osborne Priests in parishes in Laois, Offaly and Kildare say that the local lockdowns have been met with a mixture of “frustration and disappointment”, as most parish activities were shut down overnight. “The last time the response was fear, this time it’s more frustration,” says Fr Tom Cox of…
Beirut blast highlights a country in turmoil
Chai Brady hears about the tensions and trauma following Lebanon explosion Lebanon continued to lead international headlines this week after an explosion at Beirut’s port claimed the lives of hundreds of people in a country wracked by inflation and accusations of a corrupt, now defunct, government that had “utter disregard for the value of Lebanese…
Pope leads tributes to John Hume
Pope Francis has hailed John Hume’s tireless commitment to the peace process. In a message read at Mr Hume’s funeral in Derry, the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that the Pope was saddened to hear that Mr Hume (83) had died on August 3. “Mindful of the Christian Faith that inspired John…
HSE’s sexual health advice during pandemic bodes ill
The Health Service Executive (HSE), in partnership with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), has launched a new sexual health campaign titled ‘Play it Safe’. According to the HSE’s website the aim of the campaign is to provide young adults with access to helpful information to support them in safeguarding their sexual health and wellbeing during the…
Beirut’s huge explosion adds to Lebanon’s dire situation
Hospitals in the Lebanese capital are overwhelmed with those suffering injuries from a massive explosion in Beirut’s port, causing widespread damage to the city and rocking the tiny Mediterranean nation already devastated by the coronavirus and its worst financial crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. “People won’t be able to rebuild their homes, businesses, livelihoods.…
Priest’s 100-mile bike ride raises aid for parish – and hope
Fr Christopher Heanue started his morning on July 27 by celebrating Mass at 5am…and then took off on a 100-mile bike ride. It wasn’t just any ride. Fr Heanue called his journey ‘100 Miles of Hope’, which was a fundraiser to help support his parish, Holy Child Jesus, in Richmond Hill, New York, in the…
GPs paid nearly €3m fees for abortions
General Practitioners providing abortion services received €2.9 million in fees in 2019, according to figures released by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figure was released in response to a query from independent TD Carol Nolan, who described it as “staggering”. Deputy Nolan said the €2.9 million was taken from the National Women and Infants…
Pope extends Catholic patriarchs’ jurisdiction over Arabian Peninsula
Pope Francis has extended the authority of the Eastern Catholic patriarchs to their Faithful living in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. The Pope’s decision sets aside instructions issued by St John Paul II in 2003 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 entrusting the pastoral care of all Catholics of any rite to the Latin-rite…
Pub to host Communion livestream after Confirmation success
A Dublin pub which facilitated parents who weren’t allowed to attend their children’s Confirmations due to Covid-19 by livestreaming the Mass on their TVs is gearing up to host more family members for Communions next week. The Kingswood Lodge, which is across the road from the parish church, helped parents mark the occasion as a…
Chai Brady






Ruadhán Jones

