The Catholic Church has called for inquiries into the devastating impact that coronavirus has had on nursing homes in Ireland. To date, 900 nursing home residents have died due to Covid-19 in Ireland and they make up more than half of all deaths attributed to the disease here. This week the Dáil heard claims that nursing homes…
Ireland’s national Marian shrine will join Pope Francis in praying the Rosary to implore Our Lady’s intercession and protection during the current coronavirus crisis today, the eve of Pentecost. Fr Richard Gibbons will say the Rosary at the Apparition Chapel in Knock, which will be streamed live on www.knockshrine.ie at 4.30pm. The Pope will be…
Adapting to restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic Bishop Phonsie Cullinan has announced that Confession will be available across his diocese in open air venues on Saturday, in preparation for Pentecost. In a pastoral message for the Feast of Pentecost Bishop Cullinan said that “part of our care for our brothers and sisters…
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has said there is no room for “self-dispensation” or “self-interpretation” regarding health guidelines in place to protect from Covid-19. He warned that attempts to jump the queue by “individuals or communities puts everyone at risk”. The statement came after reports that a parish in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, was allowing people to attend…
EXCLUSIVE Michael Kelly and Chai Brady Vulnerable and older parishioners will be asked to stay home rather than attend Mass under a new draft plan being discussed by the hierarchy The Irish Catholic can reveal. The plan aims to ensure that all preparations are made so that churches are ready to move as soon as…
While it is not yet possible to welcome pilgrims, the spiritual storehouse that is Lough Derg is very much open Fr La Flynn tells Michael Kelly In a normal year, Lough Derg in Co. Donegal would now be putting the finishing touches to plans to welcome pilgrims to the penitential island. But these are…
The abortion issue has largely shrunk from the national headlines, but it hasn’t gone away writes Eilís Mulroy Two years ago this week Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution, or the Eighth Amendment as it was known, was repealed by the Irish people. The referendum result was a cruel blow to unborn children, abolishing their…
Baroness Nuala O’Loan has dubbed a statement by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) “ill-advised” and “offensive” after they criticised individuals and groups pushing for a faster return to public Masses. The prominent human rights lawyer, former NI police ombudsman and member of the House of Lords, Baroness O’Loan told The Irish Catholic that it’s…
The Government restriction of no more than 10 people allowed to attend church funeral services is “putting distress on families that’s not necessary”, according to a senior priest. Msgr John Byrne PP of Portlaoise parish and Vicar General of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin told this paper that although there’s no great time to…
The Irish Spirit – Issue No. 3 Silvester O’Flynn OFM Pentecost celebrates the birthday of the Church. Jesus once compared himself to a seed dying in the earth so as to produce multiple grains. In Saint John’s account of the death of Jesus his last words were “It is accomplished.” Job done. Then bowing his…
Michael Kelly
Chai Brady