Last priest to have been in Afghanistan: Pope’s appeal helps a ‘forgotten’ people
In an interview with Vatican News, the former Superior of the Mission ‘sui iuris’ in Afghanistan, the last priest to have been in the country, Fr. Giovanni Scalese, discusses Pope Francis’ appeal for those suffering from massive floods, and suggests it helps break down a ‘wall of silence’ that has thus far left the country […]
Young Catholics want Mystery, Truth and Beauty
Last week ‘Associated Press’ highlighted the polarising shift that is taking place across Catholic America in which younger Catholics are opting for more traditional liturgies and practices than their older counterparts. It reported that younger cohorts of committed Catholics consider the Vatican II generation to have exchanged “the promise of eternal salvation [with] guitar Masses,… […]
Future will be 10 dioceses or less says church expert
After the monumental changes in the West of Ireland, with three bishops now leading six dioceses, some may wonder what the future is for Ireland’s 26 dioceses considering the rapid decline of priestly vocations and practise of the Faith. Speaking to an expert on Church history it is abundantly clear that the established diocesan boundaries,… […]
Australian bishops approve new Aboriginal liturgy
Amid the Catholic Church’s push under Pope Francis to increasingly engage with and welcome Indigenous peoples and cultures, Australia’s bishops have approved a new liturgy incorporating elements of Aboriginal language and culture. Called the ‘Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit’, or Missa Terra Spiritus Sancti in Latin, the liturgy was formally approved for […]
Ireland should raise the age of Confirmation
Alan Whelan The recent International Catholic GRACE Report pointed out that 35% of Irish Catholic school teachers do not believe in God and that only 48% of Catholic Religious Education teachers attend weekly Mass. Meanwhile there is the Dublin Archdiocese decision of a very few years ago that sacramental preparation should be more firmly placed… […]
Decadence or decline, dark paths can lead to new Pentecosts
When I was a teenager – maybe about 16 – a friend and I decided to follow a fad of “decadence”. We weren’t all that sure what “decadence” was, but we knew it had little to do with normal life in our then cosy village of Sandymount in Dublin. But teenagers soon find out about […]
Union with God in ‘The Living Flame of Love’
Lauretta Brown When I mention to priests and religious that I am reading one spiritual classic a month this year, I often immediately get the advice not to read The Dark Night of the Soul by St John of the Cross. I have obligingly avoided that intimidating work, but when one Carmelite encouraged me to […]
‘Sad day’ for Veritas but talks continue with investors
In a letter to Veritas employees, Patrick Cassidy, CEO of Veritas Communications, said that “Despite our best efforts, it is with regret that we announce the closure of the Limerick and Tallaght branches”. He continued, “The Limerick store will officially close on May 15, 2024. The Tallaght branch will officially close on May 17, 2024. […]
Alleged “religious discrimination” as Newry Cathedral battles against council building plans
A priest has accused a local authority of “religious discrimination” over parishioners being excluded from a meeting on a city centre re-development. The dispute concerns Newry Council and its push to build a civic space on the site of Newry Cathedral carpark, a move that has been slammed by Parish Administrator Canon Francis Brown as […]
Less popular alternative for infertility treatment outperforms IVF
When it comes to private companies receiving state funding, surely one of the first things the Government should insist on is a cost-benefit analysis. Sadly, the opposite is happening when it comes to assisting couples struggling to conceive. Last September the Government introduced a state subsidy for IVF for eligible couples. Since then around 500… […]