The archdiocese of Berlin announced that it was temporarily suspending the work of its expert commission established to follow up on a legal report about sexual abuse in the archdiocese since 1946. The archdiocese said June 22 that the commission is recommending that findings from the legal firm Redeker Sellner Dahs be reworked or that…
While the Vatican is embroiled in its own battle against gender politics in Italy, the Cuban bishops are facing a similar dilemma, and have issued a statement criticising a resolution that would make so-called “gender ideology” part of school curricula. The bishops argue that the resolution is unscientific in that it denies basic biological differences…
Personal Profile Emmet Thompson’s connection with St Eugene’s Cathedral and the nearby Long Tower parish in Derry go all the way back to his childhood. It’s a connection he has maintained through his work as pastoral co-ordinator for the two parishes, a role that was of great importance over lockdown, as Mr Thompson was heavily…
Research in Victorian newspapers and journals occupies much of my time away from these pages. The other day searching through the 1891 volume of WT Stead’s influential Review of Reviews, I came across an item which it seemed to me would be of great interest to many of our readers, a “lost poem” by no less…
In early summer, the Irish countryside takes on the qualities of Eden – except without the serpents. Lush green foliage bursts forth, unrestrained, all around us. As midsummer’s warmth seeps into the soil, ferns and tall grasses sway, while wildflowers glimmer in the hedgerows. The songs of busy birds, the buzzing of bees, and the…
Medical Matters We are now nearly 15 months into a pandemic that has claimed the lives of nearly four million people globally and resulted in about 5,000 deaths in Ireland. However, we are now at a juncture where the vaccination programme is well under way and hospitalised cases of Covid are at their lowest in…
Vatican issues new regulations on public contracts The Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy issued last Tuesday a set of regulations related to new norms for awarding public contracts unveiled by Pope Francis last year. The regulations are contained in a decree signed by Fr Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, SJ, the Pontifical Delegate and prefect of…
“There is only one true sadness, not being a saint!” French novelist, philosopher, essayist, Leon Bloy ends his novel The Woman Who Was Poor with that much-quoted line. Here is a less known quote from Leon Bloy which helps us understand why there is such a sadness in not being saint. “Joy is a sure…
Living Laudato Si’ “To restore nature, we must first restore ourselves”, words from Pope Francis speaking at an event to mark the beginning of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. This global initiative is an effort to protect and restore the vast ecosystems of our planet. Biodiversity loss is at critical levels due to human…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Local begrudgery is a problem that is not confined to Ireland. Today’s three readings tell how Ezekiel, St Paul and Jesus had to face it. So, if you feel that you are being under appreciated, that you are being undervalued, then you are in very good company.…
Ruadhán Jones
Peter Costello
Dr Kevin McCarroll
Fr Ronald Rolheiser