A parish priest in Co. Laois says the Covid-19 pandemic has produced a greater hunger for presence and gathering among Catholics. Fr Paddy Byrne of Abbeyleix, who is originally from Carlow town, told The Irish Catholic that online platforms have increased the spiritual need for “real presence”. “These are very strange times and the virtual world, I…
A state in Mexico has passed legislation which requires students to receive education supportive of respect for all human life. The new education reform bill of the northern state of Nuevo Leon is meant to foster a “respect for life from conception to natural death” in students. Nuevo Leon’s constitution “recognises, protects and defends the…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has criticised the Government’s pandemic plan, saying he saw “no logic in deferring the phased re-opening of places of worship until July”, while sporting events and restaurants will open in June. Mr Tóibín called on the Taoiseach to “listen to the concerns of faith groups and their detailed ideas and plans” on reopening places…
The Jakarta Archdiocese has extended its Covid-19 emergency period for a second and indefinite time as the Indonesian government prepares to introduce new measures. The extension from June 1 was taken by the archdiocese a few days after Jakarta authorities decided to extend lockdowns in the capital until June 4 to curb rising Covid-19 cases.…
An 81-year old priest in Co. Down has taken his love for music to Facebook on Saturday nights to boost morale in these difficult times. Fr Seán Rogan of Carryduff, known as the ‘piano player’, told The Irish Catholic what prompted him to go on social media. “While we were in this lockdown, it struck me that…
The Church in the Philippines has opened its doors to help thousands of refugees who fled clashes that erupted in Mindanao during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr. More than 6,000 people fled their homes when armed militants launched concerted attacks on army units, hitting three villages in Maguindanao province with mortar fire. According to…
Pope advances new decrees for Causes of Saints Pope Francis has advanced the causes for canonisation of 12 holy men and women by authorising the publication of decrees recognising various miracles. The Holy Father also extended this action last week to the martyrdom of a missionary in El Salvador and a group of Cistercian monks.…
Showband legend Brendan Bowyer has been hailed as “a man of faith” who was “very friendly and very humble”. Brendan was 81 when he died last week in Las Vegas surrounded by his family. Fr Brian D’Arcy, who knew Brendan when he was a student, said: “We were friendly that long ago and we always…
Indian Catholics reject politician’s ‘baseless’ conversion claim Church leaders and activists have rejected a claim by a member of parliament from India’s Andhra Pradesh alleging that Christian missionaries use money for religious conversion. Raghu Ramkrishna Raju claimed in a television debate last week that Christian missionaries are pumping large sums of money to carry out…
The Catholic Church has called for inquiries into the devastating impact that coronavirus has had on nursing homes in Ireland. To date, 900 nursing home residents have died due to Covid-19 in Ireland and they make up more than half of all deaths attributed to the disease here. This week the Dáil heard claims that nursing homes…
Ruadhán Jones
Michael Kelly