Cathal Barry takes a look at who receives and who administers the Sacrament of the Sick The Church teaches that Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death”. “Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness…

As Jesus is being crucified he utters these words: “Forgive them, they know not what they do.” It is not easy to say these words and it is perhaps even more difficult to grasp them in their depth. What does it mean, really mean, to understand and forgive a violent action against you? There are…

“Jesus has, indeed, broken through the barrier of death to new life, and where he has gone, we will follow”, writes Fr Martin Delaney At the heart of the Easter story is a most extraordinary idea. The incomprehensible notion that someone dies but comes to new life. This claim has then led to a belief…

“At times of immense darkness and pain, the mission of people of faith is to keep the rumour of God alive”, writes Editor Michael Kelly Late on Sunday evening – Palm Sunday – news of the almost unspeakable tragedy that occurred in Buncrana, Co. Donegal began to emerge. What started out as a Sunday outing…

“Most of the men and women of 1916 would not, I think, disapprove of the separation of Church and State”, writes Mary Kenny How would the leaders of 1916 see Ireland today? I believe they would see much of which they would approve. They would, surely, be thankful to see that poverty has so very…

“There are warning signs of the emergence of a growing secular zeal in this country”, writes Martin Mansergh The phrase in the Easter 1916 Proclamation least quoted in this centenary is the guarantee by the Republic of religious and civil liberty to all its citizens. While at one level sincerely intended as a reassurance to…

“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” I love that old Negro spiritual and I’m reminded of it every year during Holy Week. This year as I sing it I will be thinking of the beleaguered Christian communities in the Holy Land. The verses in the hymn ask: Were you there when they crucified…

Addressing thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square at the weekend, Pope Francis told them: “God does not nail us to our sin.” The Pope went on: “He does not identify us with the evil we have done. We have a name, and God does not identify this name with the sin we have committed.”…

“time heals all wounds between nations, and history puts everything into a constantly changing perspective”, writes Mary Kenny The history of St Patrick’s Day in Britain is interesting. Up until 1916 – significantly – it was well-marked and well-observed in London, particularly, as a great day for the Irish. The tradition of a royal family…

“The commission has recognised its duty to create policies with global application, which send very clear messages about what must be done everywhere in the world. We have seen that it is capable of this”, writes Nuala O’Loan Pope Francis established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, because, he said, “Many painful actions…