As face coverings become mandatory in shops and public transport, Ruadhán Jones delves into the science on why they work and how to use them Ireland has come quite late to the face-mask game, but as the threat of a second wave remains and a vaccine still appears to be far away, the Government has…
Homelessness charity Focus Ireland have welcomed the Government’s extension of the current protections for renters until August 1, adding there is a “pressing need” to continue the supports. Government ministers have expressed hopes they will have new legislation in place which will enable the measures to continue. Focus Ireland Policy Coordinator Rosemary Hennigan said the…
As finance ministers representing the world’s wealthiest countries prepare to meet online, Caritas Internationalis has echoed Pope Francis’ call for debt relief to poor countries reeling from war, poverty and the coronavirus pandemic. Presenting the organisation’s annual report at an online media briefing on July 17, Aloysius John, secretary-general of Caritas Internationalis, said the debt…
Summer outings (No.1 in a six-part series) For much of her life Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington toiled not only as political publicist, but as a working journalist. She also wrote many non-political articles for magazines and papers which reveal her true skills as a writer. These now forgotten pieces are often quite charming, filled with insights into…
A Derry parish has suspended Mass after two parishioners tested positive for coronavirus having attending a family gathering. Fr Neil Farren of Ardmore parish announced the “sad news” in a video on the parish Facebook page. Speaking in the video, Fr Farren said: “I have sad news to relate to you at this time. We…
Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, retired prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, has died at the age of 80. A close collaborator with Pope St John Paul II and retired Pope Benedict XVI, the cardinal also spent almost 27 years working in the Apostolic Signature, the Church’s highest court. In a condolence message, Pope Francis said…
Slavery remains one of the great stains on human history and the role of Christians is chequered, writes David Quinn In America there is an attempt to have 1776, the year Independence was declared, supplanted in the national memory by a new date – 1619. That is the year the first group of 20 slaves…
Mindful Living John Main wrote a simple prayer which is recited before the start of meditation and which reads as follows: “Heavenly Father, Open Our Hearts to the silent Presence of the Spirit of your Son. Lead us into that mysterious Silence where Your Love is revealed to all who call.” Last month we began…
Letter from America In failing to challenge Donald Trump on his moral inconsistencies, Catholics have also failed their Church One of my all-time favourite television shows is The West Wing, the seven-season epoch chronicling life inside the White House’s executive office. At the helm of the nation is President Jed Bartlett, a Catholic Democrat who…
Personal Profile Fr Paddy Kelly CSsR always wanted to be a priest and 50 years on he’s still itching to get to work once the lockdown ends. Much of those 50 years Redemptorist Fr Kelly devoted to ministering with Ireland’s traveller community, for whom he has worked tirelessly. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, he said that…
Ruadhán Jones
Chai Brady
Peter Costello
David Quinn