A new push for families to be more involved in the sacramental preparation of their children is a “wake-up call” for parents who are apathetic to the Faith. Fr Gerry Kane of Booterstown told this newspaper that parents shouldn’t be relying on schools to prepare their children for the Sacraments, noting that this process should…
A Fermanagh-based priest has launched a ground-breaking report into the death of his cousin, decades after he was killed by the RUC. Michael Leonard, the cousin of Fr Joe McVeigh of St Michael’s parish, was shot by the police on May 17, 1973 while driving. He was 24-years-old, a farmer and cattle-dealer, living in Donegal.…
The office for Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life announced the theme Pope Francis has chosen for the next World Meeting of Families, which will be in Rome June 23-27, 2021– it is: ‘Family love: A vocation and a path to holiness’. The dicastery asked that in preparation for the meeting, families and…
At this crucial juncture in the history of Europe, we need a European Parliament that will protect and uphold the Christian values on which the EU is built, according to the Catholic bishops in a statement issued ahead of Friday’s elections. “The Treaty of the European Union outlines that the Union is founded on the values of…
Disagreement remains among readers of this newspaper about whether it was appropriate for Pope Francis to approve official pilgrimages to Medjugorje. In an IC poll, Facebook users were asked: “Do you think that Pope Francis should have approved official pilgrimages to Medjugorje given that the alleged Marian apparitions have not been authenticated?” Out of 363…
Vatican advances sainthood cause of Brazilian ‘Mother Teresa’ Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of four men and four women, including Blessed Dulce Lopes Pontes, the ‘Mother Teresa’ of Brazil. The Pope signed the decrees on May 13 during a meeting with Cardinal Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The Vatican published the decrees on May 14. The Pope…
One month after a fire destroyed the roof and spire of the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Archbishop of Paris released an update on reconstruction efforts and the donations received thus far. Of the €1 billion publicly pledged in the emotional aftermath of the fire, only €13.5 million has been collected so far,…
By passing a bill to ban abortion in nearly all circumstances, the Alabama Legislature has recognised that abortion is “the extinguishing of a unique human life”, said the president and CEO of Americans United for Life. The law is thought likely to fall foul of the Constitution. “From conception to natural death, every single human…
Suspected church arsonist ‘unfit’ for trial A man accused of attempting to enter St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York last month carrying containers of gasoline and a lighter has been deemed unfit to stand trial due to his mental health. Police arrested Marc Lamparello in April after he attempted to enter the cathedral. The 37-year-old…
The Holy Spirit gives Christians the courage and the strength needed to engage in a loving dialogue with God that is like the dialogue of a child with his or her father, Pope Francis has said. “Do not forget this: The protagonist of all Christian prayer is the Holy Spirit. We can never pray without…
Colm Fitzpatrick