Bishops gather remotely for their Summer 2021 General Meeting in accordance with the public health restrictions to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
In accordance with the public health restrictions to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, members of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference gathered remotely this week for their Summer 2021 General Meeting via video-link, instead of the usual location at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth. This was the fifth plenary meeting of bishops hosted using this medium. During their […]
Pope Francis at General Audience: On the Cross, Jesus prayed for each of us
As he concluded his catechetical cycle on prayer – which began in May 2020 – Pope Francis said “the most beautiful thing to remember” is “the grace that we do not only pray, but that, so to speak, we have been ‘prayed for,’ we have already been received in Jesus’s dialogue with the Father, in […]
British Bishops stress importance of ‘just and sustainable future’ in context of G7
In the context of the G7 group of nations meeting in England, bishops representing the Catholic communities of England, Wales and Scotland wrote to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to stress the importance of a just and sustainable future for our global community. In 2021 the United Kingdom holds the Presidency of the Group of […]
Rallying the strength of the Faithful – an interview with Cardinal Kevin Farrell on the work of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life
The prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, was interviewed recently for the Vatican’s News Service. In the interview the Dublin-born Cardinal described the work of his office as it marks its fifth anniversary. Click below to read the interview: Q: Established by Pope Francis in August 2016, the […]
‘Dipping into Life: 40 Reflections for a Fragile Faith’ by Father Alan Hilliard
Dipping into Life is the title of a new book by Father Alan Hilliard, a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin. In this new title, published by Messenger Publications, Father Hilliard reflects on how the loss, fear, isolation, and fragmentation that COVID-19 pandemic has caused, has caused many of us to pause and take stock of what […]
Pontifical Academy for life on disability and friendship
The Pontifical Academy for Life on has today released a new document entitled “Friendship with persons with disabilities: the beginning of a new world. Learning from Experiences of Persons with Disabilities and Their Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The note highlights that persons with disabilities and their caregivers deserve special attention and support because they […]
Fr Martin Magill and Corrymeela to host ‘Courage to Lament’ to reflect on division caused by conflict
On 21 June, Father Martin Magill of Saint John’s Parish on the Falls Road, Belfast, will co-host along with Corrymeela and the Dean of Belfast Cathedral, Stephen Forde, a ‘Courage to Lament’ Service to mark the annual Day of Reflection acknowledging ongoing conflict and divisions in Northern Ireland. Following the astonishing national and international response […]
Pope Francis: The poor enable us to discover the true face of the Father
The theme of the fifth World Day of the Poor is “The poor you will always have with you” taken from the gospel of Mark. Pope Francis has released the message for the annual observance ahead of the actual date of its commemoration which is set for 14 November, the thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time […]
Pope Francis appoints Father Ger Nash as Bishop of Ferns
Pope Francis has appointed Father Ger Nash, a priest of the Diocese of Killaloe, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns. The news of this Episcopal appointment was made public this morning at 11.00am Irish time (12.00pm in the Vatican). Gerard Nash was born on 27 February 1959 at Glandree in the parish […]
Cardinal Nichols thanks owner and staff of Catholic Universe and Catholic Times following closure
Following the announcement of the closure of the Catholic Universe and Catholic Times this week, Cardinal Nichols has offered his thanks to the owner and staff for their service to the mission and witness of the Catholic Church in this country. Cardinal Nichols said “This week sees the last edition of the Catholic Universe and […]