Coronavirus: pandemic has ‘catastrophic’ impact on families The coronavirus pandemic has had a “catastrophic” impact on many families, a counselling charity has warned. Relate chief executive Duane Farrell also said conflict between parents was already leading to “huge distress and mental illness” among children. Mr Farrell said lockdown had created a “perfect storm” of difficulties.…
Summit pushes for Church finance reform Broad reforms that would contribute to greater accountability and transparency regarding Church finances are needed to address the financial crisis the Church faces and is intensifying because of the coronavirus pandemic, said a report emerging from a winter summit of lay, religious and clergy leaders. The report assembled by…
Notebook I think I must be the luckiest priest in Ireland. Luck is the key word there, because through no fault or effort of my own, I was eight years in this parish before Covid-19 struck. This was a powerful help just now. It means I know the place and its people very well (and…
Dear Editor, Every Thursday morning without fail your fine newspaper arrives through my letterbox. You and your staff and team of writers deserve huge credit for keeping the paper going with such exceptional quality during what most be one of the most challenging period that any of us will ever experience. The Irish Catholic is…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. In today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:44-52), Jesus continues the seven parables about the kingdom of Heaven in our lives. What is this Kingdom? In the scriptures, the Kingdom of Heaven has several different shades of meaning. In today’s parables it refers to the hidden treasure in the heart:…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has insisted that the failure to protect residents in nursing homes from coronavirus must be fully investigated. “The deaths in nursing homes and the failures of the Government is a national scandal and must be examined and investigated to ensure that they never occur again,” he told The Irish Catholic. Of…
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has assured the Minister for Education that schools under his patronage will meet “urgent provision” for units for autistic students, following a Government letter. Former Minister Joe McHugh sent a letter instructing 36 Catholic schools on the southside of the city to open special classes this September for students with autism. Archbishop…
Robert Runcie, who died in 2000, was a well-liked Archbishop of Canterbury who had warm ecumenical links with the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Basil Hume. He participated in a joint service at Canterbury – on the spot where St Thomas More was murdered – with Pope John Paul II in 1982. Dr Runcie’s wife, Rosalind,…
Jason Osborne Doras, a Limerick-based migrant and refugee support organisation, has raised renewed concerns over the safety of residents in Direct Provision following the report of alleged sexual assault in an accommodation centre. “People fleeing harm should not be exposed to further harm when they arrive here in Ireland,” said Doras CEO, John Lannon. “The…
Prof. Patricia Casey has described as “ludicrous” new plans by the Minister for Children to legalise the self-declaration of gender for children, and called for a proper, open debate on the issue. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Prof. Casey said that “it’s ludicrous to be giving the choice of such a momentous procedure to children and…
Ruadhán Jones
Mary Kenny