Priests and parishioners across Ireland have expressed joy at being able to return to Mass after more than 100 days without the sacraments. Many parishes opened early on Monday to welcome back congregations, and other churches will do so this week and next. Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy said: “It’s a time to return with…
The bishop of Derry diocese, Donal McKeown, was among more than 30 people recognised in this year’s Lambeth Awards which were announced this week by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The awards acknowledge “outstanding contributions to the Church and wider society”. In total, 32 awards were announced to people from fields including evangelism, the religious life, safeguarding, ecumenism, theology…
A total of 6,666 abortions were carried out in the Republic in 2019, according to figures released by the Department of Health. Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute described the figures as “shocking and tragic”. She told The Irish Catholic: “It’s tragic to see this first report, it’s tragic to see that 6,666 babies…
The US should appoint a special envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region to “focus like a laser beam” on the attacks by Boko Haram and other Islamic militants, according to one of the main architects of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Former Congressman Frank Wolf said such a move was necessary…
The newly-appointed Bishop of Kilmore has insisted that laypeople must play an increasingly important role in decision-making. Bishop-elect Martin Hayes said the Church of the future will see more lay involvement and co-responsibility between priests and the laity. Speaking on his appointment as Bishop of Kilmore, Bishop-elect Hayes said his brief “will be to listen,…
The US Diocese of Springfield has released a report submitted by retired Superior Court Judge Peter Velis documenting his investigation into a claim of sexual abuse by the late Bishop Christopher Weldon and his finding the claim “to be unequivocally credible”. The report also covers how the diocese handled this complaint and opportunities for improvement…
Although he said “I would never go to war” over the proper age to administer the sacrament of Confirmation, Archbishop Rino Fisichella has said too often it seems that the Sacrament is delayed to “blackmail” young people into continuing to come to church. The archbishop, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelisation, made…
Famous Irish presenter Seán O’Rourke said his Faith is important to him and that he believes in the hereafter, including Hell. Speaking to Ivan Yates, Mr O’Rourke explained that both his parents were “practising Catholics and quite devout”. O’Rourke went to Mass every weekend during college and still believes Faith is an important part of…
The Church’s sacraments are a gift and cannot be denied to disabled people, according to new Church guidelines for catechesis. Irish theologian Liam Waldron, who has long campaigned on this topic, was “delighted” by the announcement. “I welcome this greatly,” he said. “It has been a long time coming and a lot of us have…
An ongoing dialogue between Catholic and Muslim educators took a very concrete turn on June 25 when the United Arab Emirates sent a plane carrying 50 tons of humanitarian aid to a Peruvian city overwhelmed by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Vatican News, the plane carried masks, gloves, medical oxygen and food aid that will…
Michael Kelly
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Ruadhán Jones