Letter from Rome Inés San Martín A Pope, a prince and an Imam walk side by side at an airport on the red carpet. It seems like the beginning of a bad bar joke, but instead, it was the start of a historic, first-ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula on February 3. It’s…
Two-parent families are under immense pressure to remain in the workforce, leaving them less opportunity to spend valuable time with their children, a leading theologian has said. Dr Tom Finnegan of St Patrick’s College, Thurles, told The Irish Catholic that the sheer expense of living is forcing parents into the workforce, meaning they can no…
Well-known actor Dean Cain, best known for playing the role of Superman in the TV series Lois & Clark, has said that the crimes of convicted abortionist Kermit Gosnell would be legal under new “healthcare” laws passed in New York. Discussing the Reproductive Health Act passed last month, the actor who also stars in and…
Meeting with tens of thousands of Catholics living in the United Arab Emirates, Pope Francis urged them to be meek, peaceful and express their Christian identity by loving others. The UAE Catholic community, which numbers close to one million, includes foreign workers from roughly 100 nations, but particularly India and the Philippines. They filled the…
Bishop of Cloyne William Crean has announced a fresh round of clerical appointments as the vocations crisis continues to bite. Two priests of the diocese will retire later this month, Canon Jackie Corkery of Kanturk and Fr Michael Dorgan of Castlemagner. Bishop Crean has announced that Fr Tobias Bluitt, PP Doneraile is to take on…
It’s not resourcing that’s the real issue in parishes, but a need to recognise that all those baptised have a “right and responsibility” to use their gifts, according to a psychotherapist and lecturer in pastoral ministry and liturgy. Mrs Jane Ferguson, who will deliver a four week course on pastoral leadership in March, said rather…
Children at a Dublin school are delighted with an innovative hot school meals scheme being road-tested ahead of a wider pilot scheme, according to school authorities. “The children are loving the food,” Tonya Hanly, principal of Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Goldenbridge, told The Irish Catholic. “Certainly the children are benefitting and there…
US Catholic priests are feeling the pinch as many say they have experienced a drop in Church collections after several sex abuse reports and scandals levelled at high ranking prelates in the country have affected parishioners’ willingness to donate. A priest from the Annunciation Church in Brazil, Indiana, has said he noticed “a pretty sharp…
A broad swath of the US Midwest experienced a deep freeze during last week with historic low temperatures impacting daily routines. The Arctic blast forced the cancellation of flights, stopped mail delivery in several states, caused power outages and closed businesses, restaurants, schools and government offices with temperatures as low as -37°C. Catholic schools, in…
A Dublin parish is excited for the re-opening of their church, especially since it has been announced they will be given the altar and ambo used for the papal Mass during the World Meeting of Families last summer. St Joseph the Artisan church, in Bonnybrook parish, will welcome Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin on March…
Colm Fitzpatrick
Chai Brady