The near-collapse and subsequent recovery of the Irish Dominican Province was not a matter of inevitable cycles but the work of both the miraculous and determined individuals, according to Fr Terence Crotty OP, who has written a history of the Order. Reflecting on the Province’s fortunes, Fr Crotty rejected the idea that decline and revival…
Baroness Nuala O’Loan has called for the Holy See to review what is happening to Catholics in China, citing human rights abuses, religious repression and the case of an underground Church priest she says was killed for his ministry. Writing exclusively in this paper Ms O’Loan states: “The 2018 Agreement [between China and the Holy…
The Diocese of Down and Connor honoured the hard work of two priests last week, with Mass celebrated by Bishop Alan McGuckian and a celebratory lunch in honour of their jubilees. Diocesan secretary and Parish Priest of Ballyclare and Ballgowan Parishes Fr Gerard Fox celebrated his Silver Jubilee, and Chancellor of the Diocese Fr Eugene…
Thousands expected for annual pilgrimage to holy site Not every pilgrim who comes to Knock seeking healing will find it — but that does not mean they leave empty-handed, according to the shrine’s rector. Fr Richard Gibbons PP said that even when the miracle sought is not granted, Knock offers pilgrims something else: the certainty…
The centenary of Cork’s Eucharistic Procession and the growing devotion to St Carlo Acutis in Ardfinnan were highlighted in an RTÉ Nationwide programme broadcast on Wednesday, August 5. The programme looked back at this year’s procession, when more than 5,000 people accompanied the Blessed Sacrament through Cork despite persistent rain. Led by Bishop of Cork…
A conference on ‘Irish Catholic Spaces: Pasts and Futures’ at Dublin City University will address “the extraordinary built heritage of the Church in Ireland,” according to Catholic Historical Society of Ireland committee member Prof. John McCafferty. The conference will be put on by the historical society at DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra on September…
Catholics who have drifted from the Church will be invited to “come home” during Dublin’s third annual Eucharistic and Marian Procession this month. The procession will leave St Nicholas of Myra Church, Francis Street, at 2.30pm on Sunday, August 16, before concluding with Mass at St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, at 5pm. Organiser Karen Brady…
The death of the comedian Jimmy Cricket who died on Monday at the age of 80 following a short illness has been met with widespread sadness and tributes. Cricket’s son, Fr Frankie Mulgrew, said the late comedian “saw the joy in everything, right up until his death”. “On Sunday he wanted the last rights twice,…
Major reorganisation will see 56 parishes move into 11 pastoral areas Parish identity must not be lost as dioceses reorganise into larger pastoral areas, the diocesan director of parish development in Kildare and Leighlin has said in reassurance to worried parishioners. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Deacon Roche, diocesan director of parish development in Kildare…
A question asking, “is your current gender different from that assigned to you at birth?” on forms for blood donors could risk turning potential donors away because they fundamentally disagree with the question, said Michael Aherne on the Grásta Podcast with Bishop Phonsie Cullinan. In a July 25 episode of the podcast, presented by the…