Month: August 2020

The mixed blessing of the pandemic for faith

We may see the possibilities of technologies being realised more and more by faith communities even as things start to get back to normal writes Dr Brian Conway Perhaps more than at any other time in recent history, today’s pandemic world has led to a rapid reappraisal of how we organise virtually every single aspect…

Beirut blast highlights a country in turmoil

Chai Brady hears about the tensions and trauma following Lebanon explosion Lebanon continued to lead international headlines this week after an explosion at Beirut’s port claimed the lives of hundreds of people in a country wracked by inflation and accusations of a corrupt, now defunct, government that had “utter disregard for the value of Lebanese…

Jason Donohue: a good friend and noble spirit

This is a homily preached by Fr John Carroll at the funeral of Mr Donohue who died from cancer last month I don’t intend to ‘talk up’ Jason’s life, or indeed his many achievements – his is a life that speaks for itself: a gentle life, a noble life, a life marked with gratitude for…

Pope leads tributes to John Hume

Pope Francis has hailed John Hume’s tireless commitment to the peace process. In a message read at Mr Hume’s funeral in Derry, the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that the Pope was saddened to hear that Mr Hume (83) had died on August 3. “Mindful of the Christian Faith that inspired John…

Beirut’s huge explosion adds to Lebanon’s dire situation

Hospitals in the Lebanese capital are overwhelmed with those suffering injuries from a massive explosion in Beirut’s port, causing widespread damage to the city and rocking the tiny Mediterranean nation already devastated by the coronavirus and its worst financial crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. “People won’t be able to rebuild their homes, businesses, livelihoods.…