Look to Saint Joseph as an example of faithful service – Pope’s message for Vocations Sunday 2021
Pope Francis has released his Message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which falls this year on Sunday 25 April. The Pope held up the husband of the Virgin Mary and foster-father of Jesus as a model for all members of the clergy and religious men and women. He drew heavily on his […]
Northern Catholic Bishops oppose introduction of abortion services
The Northern Catholic Bishops have issued a stament regarding the intention of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to introduce extreme and discriminatory abortion services to Northern Ireland. This statement was issued in the names of Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of All-Ireland and Apostolic Administrator of Dromore; Bishop Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down […]
Pope Francis launches year of reflection on the family
Five years after the publication of Pope Francis’ post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetita, the Vatican has inaugurated the Amoris Laetitia Family Year on the Feast of Saint Joseph, Friday 19 March. Marking the beginning of the year-long celebration, Pope Francis sent a message to participants in a webinar on the theme ‘Our Daily Love’. Pope […]
Pope Francis sends video message marking the elevation of Knock Shrine as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine
Pope Francis sent a video message to the Irish faithful on Friday 19 March marking the elevation of the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock to the status of International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine. “I gladly take advantage of this means of communication in order to be with you at such an important moment […]
“A momentous event” – Archbishop Neary welcomes designation of Knock as International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has described the elevation of Knock Shrine to International status as a “momentous event”. The archbishop was speaking during Mass at the Shrine on Friday 19 March in response to a homily delivered by Pope Francis via video link from Rome. During his homily Pope Francis formally elevated the Shrine at […]
Archbishop Dermot Farrell calls on authorities to prioritise ‘constitutional right to worship’
Archbishop Dermot Farrell celebrated Mass for Saint Patrick’s Day 2021 in Saint Patrick’s Church, Ringsend. During his homily, Archbishop Farrell spoke of the hardships Covid-19 has brought for people of faith. He said “This past year has been a tumultuous one for people of faith with all churches closed over many months for public worship. […]
Dr Jessie Rogers appointed first woman and lay Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical University Maynooth
The President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Rev Prof Michael Mullaney, has announced the appointment of Dr Jessie Rogers as the first woman and lay Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical University Maynooth. Dr Rogers, originally South African, undertook her graduate studies at the University of Stellenbosch and came to Ireland in […]
Church Leaders’ St Patrick’s Day Message: ‘In Christ We Journey Together’
The leaders of Ireland’s main Churches have come together to issue a message on St Patrick’s Day that reflects on the 1921 centenaries and contains an invitation to wider civic society for further dialogue. Entitled ‘In Christ We Journey Together’, the theme chosen by the Church Leaders Group (Ireland) for their shared reflection on the […]
Pope Francis celebrates Mass for 500 years of Christianity in Philippines
Pope Francis on Sunday joined the Church in the Philippines in commemorating 500 years of Christianity in the Southeast Asian nation. He celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica with several representatives of the Filipino Church, including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, formerly the Archbishop of Manila. In his homily, the Pope said Filipinos received the joy […]
Bishop Fintan Monahan expresses concern over cemetery and funeral gatherings
Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe has expressed concerns over cemetery and funeral gatherings. Bishop Monahan said, “In conversations with priests and people around the Diocese of Killaloe in recent weeks many have expressed their serious health and safety concerns to me regarding the number of people gathering after funeral ceremonies in church and also at […]