Letter from Rome A Polish software developer has announced a new computer game called Pope Simulator is to be released next year. The game opens with a conclave in which the player is elected Pope, and then presents various scenarios that require decisions. “Our idea assumes the possibility to use, among others, the pope’s so-called…
A Co. Cavan-based priest has hit out at a newspaper over what he described as a “cheap shot” against well-known chef Neven Maguire. Fr Charlie O’Gorman hit out at a recent article in the Sunday Times which he believed had been critical of Mr Maguire. In a subsequent letter to the newspaper Fr O’Gorman, formerly…
Looking to do some DIY in your spare time? Róise McGagh shares some tips for getting started with minimal materials Hanging around the house for such an extended period of time is no easy feat. One of the nice things about these times is that you can finally start to get stuck into that…
The Lost Gaeltacht: the Land Commission Migration – Clonbur, County Galway to Allenstown, County Meath by Martin O’Halloran (Homefarm Publishing, €29.00. Available online from Mayo Books) Ian d’Alton On March 29, 1940, two buses left Clonbur village, sandwiched between Loughs Mask and Corrib, Co. Galway. They carried 24 apprehensive families to a hopeful new life in…
A parent’s perspective My husband’s uncle died yesterday. He had Down’s syndrome and spent his life surrounded by love, a valuable and cherished member of his family. He enjoyed his simple pleasures like his soft toys, his Star War figures and his cartoons. When my husband and I visited him some weeks ago in…
If it becomes necessary to treat some and not others, this must be based on defined criteria and not the personal discretion of doctors writes Martin M. Lintner “I would never have thought I would have to experience the necessity of triage again in my life,” an older colleague who remembers well the grim…
A group of doctors in Tuscany has received a bishop’s permission to distribute Holy Communion to those infected by the coronavirus. Bishop Giovanni Nerbini of Prato made the six doctors extraordinary eucharistic ministers, allowing them to give Communion to over 100 patients on Easter, according to Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishops’ conference. Dr…
Sr Stan has appealed for support for Focus Ireland as a video of a child teaching other children how to avoid Covid-19 gained traction online. The video of the child who is homeless demonstrating how washing hands kills the virus has over 20,000 views across social media. Sr Stan said: “This crisis is additional stress for…
Christopher White A new study in the US finds that while young people are experiencing heightened levels of loneliness and isolation as a result of social distancing, they are not experiencing a decline in their Faith. Among those surveyed, 35% of respondents said that they are actually experiencing an increase of Faith and 46% attested to…
Personal Profile “It was a great life to live and as one says I would do it all over again.” Fr Martin Keane set off for Kenya in 1971. He had always wanted to be a missionary. Since he was in national school in his home town of Cranny, Co Clare, he recalls being…
John L. Allen Jr.
Maria Byrne