Category: CatholicNews.ie

Bishops encourage Catholics to continue to support a programme of vaccination

At their Summer General Meeting, which concluded earlier this month, bishops have renewed their message of encouragement to Catholics to support a programme of vaccination, not only for their own good, but for the protection of life and the health of those who are vulnerable. Bishops acknowledged the hard work that has been done in both […]

Pope Francis receives US Secretary of State

Pope Francis on Monday morning received US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, in the Vatican. Responding to questions put to him by journalists, the Director of the Holy See Press Office said the audience took place in a cordial atmosphere. Matteo Bruni explained that it lasted about 40 minutes and that “it offered the Pope the […]

Reek Pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick to be four-days per week in July

The annual Reek Sunday Pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick, which was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be going ahead this year albeit in a much extended format from Wednesday to Saturday, 1- 31 July. Pilgrims are asked to plan their climb well in advance, and to choose a weekday when Croagh Patrick […]

Bishops urge Government to expedite law as Irish prisoners have not been repatriated in four years

Following their Summer General Meeting, Irish Bishops have urged Government to address the outstanding repatriation issue effecting Irish prisoners overseas. During their meeting Bishops said, “The recent report from the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding prisoner repatriation for 2020 reveals that for a fourth consecutive year no Irish prisoners were repatriated. This appears to […]

Bishops pray for an end to violence and oppression in Myanmar

Following their Summer General Meeting, Irish Bishops expressed their deep concern about the ongoing repression and brutality inflicted on civilians in Myanmar. Since February, people in Myanmar have peacefully called for democracy in their country while being brutally suppressed by the military. Many people have lost their lives, many others have been imprisoned. There is […]

Deacons are the guardians of service in the Church – Pope Francis 

“The generosity of a deacon who spends himself without seeking the front lines smells of the Gospel and tells of the greatness of God’s humility that takes the first step to meet even those who have turned their backs on Him.” This is how Pope Francis envisages the role of a permanent deacon among the […]

Parishes invited to celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Bishops have welcomed the introduction by Pope Francis of a new World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which will be celebrated for the first time this year by the Universal Church on Sunday 25 July. In a statement issued at the conclusion of their Summer General Meeting, held via video link, bishops said, “Throughout […]

Bishops express thanks for over 550 submissions received for Synodal Pathway

During their 2020 Winter General Meeting, bishops decided to proceed along a Synodal Pathway and, since then, have been assisted and greatly encouraged by Cardinal Mario Grech and Sr Natalie Becquart, of the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops in Rome, who addressed the Irish bishops on the theme of synodality on 3 February. […]