Liberals celebrated Byrne because he challenged the supremacy of the Catholic Church: but bishops’ misjudgements played into his hands, writes Mary Kenny Everyone agrees that Gay Byrne was a broadcasting genius. He could draw any story out of anyone: knew instinctively how to handle it either sensitively, robustly or jokingly: and always had complete…
A cathedral in south-western France was robbed of chalices and other religious items after a gang rammed open the door of the church early Monday morning. At approximately 2 am, a car outfitted with a battering ram was driven into the door of Cathedral Sainte-Marie d’Oloron, breaking it open. The cathedral is in the French…
Christians are “morally obliged” to welcome the stranger, the Archbishop of Tuam has said as residents on Achill Island, Co. Mayo, protested a direct provision centre planned for the island. Archbishop Michael Neary also said that he, nor the local Church, had been advised by any plans by the Department of Justice. Locals said they…
Gay Byrne was a wise, witty and mischievous broadcaster whom people trusted enough to welcome him into their homes, writes Roger Childs As I write, a pall of genuine sadness hangs over RTÉ’s Montrose campus, following the news of Gay Byrne’s death. Twenty years after his supposed retirement, there are still so many people here…
Over 200 people attended the blessing of a new shrine commemorating the victims of two atrocities during the troubles in a Belfast parish in a “deeply moving” event. Fr Patrick McCafferty PP of Corpus Christi Parish said the blessing of the shrine to St Teresa of Calcutta moved many people to tears. The event took…
Catholic bishops have appealed for prayers and aid for earthquake victims after two strong earthquakes hit the Philippines last month, causing some deaths and damage. “Please, again, let us show our spirit of charity and solidarity,” Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, who is president of the Catholic bishops’ conference of the Philippines, said. An earthquake…
For good or bad, what celebrities say and do matters, writes David Quinn It’s entirely possible you’re never heard of him, or are only vaguely aware of him but rest assured that Kanye West is a massive star. He is an American rapper, singer and song-writer. This year alone, he is on target to make…
Lebanon’s Maronite bishops, commending the unity of the Lebanese people amid a peaceful mass uprising demanding a new government, called for a “constructive spirit” following the resignation of the country’s prime minister. “The Lord is leading the ship of the homeland and we hope that this step will be the beginning of the solution,” Cardinal…
Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has led tributes to his outgoing Church of Ireland counterpart Dr Richard Clarke. Dr Clarke announced at the Armagh Diocesan Synod at the weekend that he would step down as Anglican Primate of All-Ireland in February. Archbishop Clarke, aged 70, has drserved as a bishop in the Church of…
Questions of Faith The practice of marrying multiple spouses – also known as polygamy – is a hot topic at the moment. Not completely dissimilar to an open relationship where a couple agrees to having sexual relations with other people, polygamy takes this a step further and enshrines the relationship in marriage. There are three…
Mary Kenny
Chai Brady
David Quinn
Colm Fitzpatrick