An Irish journalist reveals how working overseas for a global Catholic network cemented his Faith, writes Aron Hegarty “I have always been unsettled by being comfortable. I like having something to aim for, something to fight for.” These are words Eternal World Television Network (EWTN) reporter Colm Flynn uses to describe the motive behind his…
Pope Francis phones Amazon Archbishop in solidarity Pope Francis has made a telephone call to Archbishop Leonardo Steiner of Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon region to express his concern and closeness to those affected by the coronavirus. During their conversation last week, the Pope expressed solidarity, closeness and concern to inhabitants of the Amazonian city…
Douglas Hyde: A Maker of Modern Ireland by Janet Egleston Dunleavy & Gareth W. Dunleavy (University of California Press, £48.00) Douglas Hyde/Dubhlas de hÍde served as Ireland’s first president from 1938 to 1945. This was the very highest distinction which the new state and the people of Ireland could bestow. Hyde himself was a man who…
Personal Profile “I was being put up on a barstool in a pub when we came home to Achill from about 1975 to sing for my grandfather’s buddies at the bar,” says James Kilbane. The Gospel and Country singer spoke to The Irish Catholic about his upbringing and his thoughts on faith. He says…
An international school-feeding charity is planning to provide meals to more than one million children at home as part of the Covid-19 response. Despite school closures due to the pandemic, Mary’s Meals will continue to deliver food to children in Malawi and Zambia by inviting their parents to collect rations to cook at home. Patricia…
Medical Matters The death toll from Covid-19 in Ireland has exceeded 1,000 with almost two months passing since the first reported mortality. The number of deaths is more than triple that of even a bad flu season and would be manifold greater if not for restrictions and social distancing. While huge focus was placed…
Dream Horse (PG) In these dark times we need a ‘pick me up’ film to revive our spirits – this is it. They say nobody can celebrate like the Irish. Is that because we win less things than the bigger nations? As such it means more. After seeing this wistful elegy to an affectionate…
Dear Editor, Surely there is no better time than the present to review our diocesan development planning process. If our current lockdown is to be seen as part of God’s plan for our Church, we need to be listening and learning from our very real present experiences. Diocesan development plans need to be working documents…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. Many of us are disappointed that very few of the restrictions on our movements have been lifted. Return to any normality will take time. Long term worries remain about unemployment, closure of businesses, national and personal finances. Can we draw any hope from the Gospel for…
The Jewel in the Mess by Alan Abernethy (Columba Books, €12.99 / £12.99) Out of danger comes hope: this is the theme of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Connor’s new book. He has suffered in recent years from depression and well as prostate cancer. But in these dark hours he has recovered a…
Dr Kevin McCarroll
Aubrey Malone