On the eve of the new millennium in 1999, the US writer George Weigel published his seminal biography of Pope John Paul II. Mr Weigel titled the 1,000+ page book Witness to Hope because he felt this encapsulated both the Polish Pontiff’s long-standing ministry and his feelings for the Church as we entered the third…
Because there may well be shortages in the shops come December – and even with on-line shopping – some prudent folks already have all their Christmas shopping, bar last-minute food, arranged, wrapped, and ready to deliver. A late Thanksgiving interrupted the space for Christmas shopping” There has been a world-wide disruption of supply chains, largely,…
The View Last year, then Minister for Health, Simon Harris – a man with a commitment to making abortion easily available – said that the abortion pill could be prescribed remotely during the Covid-19 crisis. Previously, the HSE had said that pregnant women needed to attend a pre-abortion consultation in a surgery or clinic. When this…
Frank Browne Many of our parishes across the country have been busy undertaking Confirmation ceremonies for all those young people who have been waiting for up to two years. Our parish ministry team in Ballyroan thought about how we could make the sacramental preparation meetings and ceremonies both meaningful and an enjoyable experience for our…
The pandemic and ensuing restrictions continue to cast a long shadow on Dublin diocese finances, but a big sale proves lucrative, writes Jason Osborne The archdiocese of Dublin’s 2020 financial report details a continued fall in the diocese’s finances over the last year, a trend accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions put in…
The launch of The Scottish Catholic heralds a rebirth of Catholic journalistic integrity and ethos in Scotland, hears Jason Osborne The pandemic took a toll on all aspects of the Church and Church-related life, Catholic media being no different. In Scotland, the combined difficulties of the pandemic and ensuing restrictions saw the closure of the…
For many years, I have taken part in debates about the family. In all that time, I have focused on the importance of both mothers and fathers being closely involved in the raising of their children. It is why I have always argued for the importance of marriage, because marriage has evolved in practically all…
Letter from Rome After South Korean President Moon Jae-in invited Pope Francis to visit North Korea, a prominent archbishop indicated that the Vatican is working to foster conditions in which a papal visit to the Asian nation is possible. Archbishop Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect for the Vatican Congregation for Clergy and who is originally from…
In a recent book, Living Between Worlds, James Hollis offers a piece of wit that carries more depth than is first evident. A therapist says to a client, “I cannot solve your problem, but I can give you a more compelling story for your misery”. That’s more than a wisecrack. Whether we feel good or…
Dear Editor, I read with interest Jason Osborne’s article ‘The changing face of funerals’ [The Irish Catholic – October 28, 2021] arising from his interview with Joseph Behan (Hibernian Funerals), in particular Mr Behan’s comments on cremation. For hundreds of years cremations were frowned upon and even illegal going back as far as Charlemagne in 789. It was…
Michael Kelly
Mary Kenny
David Quinn
Fr Ronald Rolheiser