Aux bishop-elect praises Dublin’s strength in ‘challenging times’
The newly appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin has commended the “commitment and faith” of laity and priests in the archdiocese despite the “uncertain” road ahead. Fr Donal Roche’s appointment by Pope Francis was announced in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral on Tuesday. An experienced educator and pastor, he spent almost two decades involved in religious education and […]
Senator challenges Govt’s ‘draconian’ safe access zones bill
Independent Senator, Sharon Keogan, has lambasted the Government’s safe access bill, insisting that the implications of the bill “are just as worrying as the hate speech bill in terms of their impact on civil liberties”. Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Keogan said that she had “raised concerns with the House about this bill’s draconian implications” […]
At home in Ireland: How and why our ancestors lived the way they did
A love of home, ‘one’s own place’, is said to have characterised Irish people from the earliest days. These days, when people remove themselves to as far away as the Antipodes, there is still, even in the sunshine of Bondi Beach, that melancholy longing for the old place at home. How we lived in the past is […]
Almsgiving and fasting can both be about money
Phil Lenahan In word and deed, Pope Francis continues to encourage Catholics to reach out to the poor and not succumb to a consumerist mentality where what we have is deemed more important than who we are. The season of Lent provides a special opportunity to take the Holy Father’s words to heart and live […]
Man remanded in custody over priest’s house fire
A man has been remanded in custody over the alleged arson of the parochial house in Athy, Co. Kildare, on February 18. James Rowan (45) faces allegations of burglary and criminal damage, which caused hundreds of thousands of euros worth of damage, Naas District Court was told. Garda Ken McDonald alleged the defendant stole cash […]
What is ‘Catholic Enough’?
Jesus keeps ‘left’ and ‘right’ in balance, writes Elizabeth Scalia A discussion among practicing Catholics occurred in a social media group, inevitably landing on current divisions between Catholics – those who would describe themselves as ‘orthodox’ vs the ‘more progressive;’ those who pronounce themselves ‘proudly cafeteria’ versus those who identify as ‘proudly traditionalist’. […]
Life stories written on the faces of the young and old
The latest partnered exhibition at the National Gallery, featuring as it does the works of a series of great artists, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer and a few others, is a remarkable show, not so much for its bravura accomplishments of style and setting, but for its concentration on the wonderful landscapes of the human face through […]
Women deserve better than the meaningless platitudes from Govt
On Feiday you will be asked to vote on two changes to our Constitution. Perhaps you, like much of the country, don’t really understand what it’s all about, and I don’t blame you because it seems neither does the Government! Their stance has been one that is based on confusion rather than clarity, and… […]
For Ukrainians, there is still hope within horror
For a generation born after a certain period in Europe, war and its perverse consequences have thankfully not been all too intimately known. In fact, the vast majority of Europe’s inhabitants – save the likely elderly of World War II and the middle-aged products of the Cold War and The Troubles – have largely been… […]
Bl. Carlo Acutis attracts youth in Clogher
A relic of a young saint-to-be Blessed Carlo Acutis attracted hundreds of young people to gather in St Macartan’s Cathedral in Clogher diocese. Blessed Acutis, who died of leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15, was known for centring his life around the Eucharist and attending Mass and adoration daily. On October 10, 2020, […]