Via Nova Media

Reflections on life, meaning and purpose

Day: January 11, 2024

No country for old moans

It’s been pleasing to see a revival in the old Irish tradition of celebrating January 6 as ‘Nollaig na mBan’, the ‘women’s Christmas’. Although it had been a country tradition, I don’t think it was very widely observed in Dublin, where January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany was known, traditionally, as ‘Little Christmas’. The… […]

US Irish Catholics defended after backlash to social media trend

A trend on social media among Catholics in the US with Irish heritage, which was criticised by some online users who took issue with them describing themselves as Irish, has been defended by EPIC (The Irish Emigration Museum). The TikTok trend involved people uploading videos of themselves starting sentences by saying ‘We’re Irish Catholics’ and… […]

Senator Mullen: Govt ‘allergic’ to speaking up for persecuted Christians

There’s a danger that persecuted Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world are “out of sight, out of mind”, Independent Senator Rónán Mullen has said. The “least” Government can do is use whatever levers they have to try and pressure uncooperative countries, such as Nigeria and Nicaragua where attacks on Christians are rife,… […]

Bishops called to take harder stance on ‘hurtful’ funerals

Funerals that celebrate the life of notorious criminals are “particularly hurtful” to parishioners who see their church “taken over by those who prey on the community”, according to a Dublin-based priest. Fr Joe Keegan CC in Cabra West has called for Irish bishops to take a harder stance on what is permitted at funerals as […]

Resource issues remain warns Ballinrobe PP after protests

Rural communities “must be resourced” if they are to accommodate asylum seekers with dignity, a Mayo-based parish priest has said. Following peaceful protests this week regarding a property in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo which will house asylum seekers, Fr Denis Carney PP of Ballinrobe-Kilmaine told The Irish Catholic that the parish, the council and Government need to work […]

France’s bishops stand united behind papal decree

Paris (KNA) The French Bishops’ Conference is unanimously in favour of the Vatican document on the blessing of homosexual couples. The declaration issued by the Vatican’s authority on the faith in December is seen as an encouragement to priests to “generously bless those who turn to them and humbly ask for God’s help”, according to […]

Pope Francis confirms election of head of Syro-Malabar Church

Pope Francis has granted his confirmation to the election of His Excellency Raphael Thattil, Bishop of Shamshabad, as Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly (India) and “Father and Head of this beloved Church sui iuris.” A Church “sui iuris” (Latin – literally, “of its own law”) is “a community fo the Christian faith, which is joined together by […]

Council of Experts calls for strategy for Ukrainian refugees

Berlin (KNA) The Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR) is calling for a long-term strategy for war refugees from Ukraine. Temporary protection will end for them in March 2025, said Jan Schneider, Head of Research at the SVR, in Berlin on Thursday. Sustainable follow-up solutions are needed, “otherwise several million people in Europe may […]