While hopes had been high that pilgrims could return in late July, Fr La Flynn of Lough Derg has confirmed that the traditional three-day pilgrimage will not take place this summer. It is the first time since 1828 that the pilgrimage has been suspended with organisers conceding that the nature of the pilgrimage involves close…
In a reflection offered to BBC Rethink, a series asking how society can change for the better after the Covid-19 crisis, Pope Francis has warned the poor have “become part of the landscape”. The Pope [pictured] was speaking in Spanish with a voiceover provided by the BBC and was provided by the Vatican for the series,…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has criticised the “flagrant mistreatment of childcare providers” by Minister Katherine Zappone. In a recent statement, TD Tóibín suggested that the actions of her department threatens the childcare sector as a whole. “Minister Zappone pledged that in addition to the 70% wage subsidy, the Department for Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) would…
The episcopal consecration of the new bishop of Achonry, which was postponed due to coronavirus restrictions, will now go ahead on August 30 a spokesman for the diocese has confirmed. Bishop-elect Paul Dempsey will be ordained bishop in the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy in Ballaghaderreen. Fr Dempsey, who has been serving as…
In one of the most anticipated cases of the term, the Supreme Court ruled against efforts by the Trump administration to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA. In a 5-4 decision, the court said the Trump administration’s actions in rescinding the program were “arbitrary and capricious”. Last November, the court…
Pro-life campaigners in the North are urging the region’s Assembly to restore protection for unborn children. It comes after MPs in Westminster voted to remove the last legal obstacle meaning that abortion will be allowed for any reason up to 12 weeks, and up to birth on specific grounds such as disability. The regulations came…
The US bishops are urging Catholics to “pray, reflect and take action” on religious liberty in the United States and abroad during Religious Freedom Week, which runs from June 22-29. The first day of the observance is the feast of Ss Thomas More and John Fisher, both martyred for their Catholic faith. The US Conference…
The increased screen time and isolation due to quarantine measures or restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic have put vulnerable minors at greater risk of grooming and abuse online, a Jesuit safeguarding expert said. Almost every nation that has had lockdowns or other restrictions has had similar consequences in which young people are spending a lot…
The famous Redemptorist novena in Limerick has reached an even bigger congregation than normal thanks to the wonders of technology, Fr Gerry Moloney CSsR told The Irish Catholic this week. The annual event would normally see the Redemptorist church in the city thronged with worshippers, but Covid-19 restrictions mean that the novena sessions are only…
The Diocese of Kerry has appealed to TDs in the county to urge the Government to relax a rule that would permit as few as 50 people to attend Mass from June 29. When the Government announced the accelerated roadmap there was no mention of the limit. However, at the weekend Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said…
Chai Brady
Ruadhán Jones