Ruadhán JonesThe commemoration of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection during the Easter triduum brings much-needed hope to a world beset by uncertainty, Pope Francis said
Pope: Christ’s cross a beacon of hope in stormy seas
Month: March 2021
Church ministry ‘frayed at the edges’ before pandemic, says bishop
The way the Church ministers was “already fraying at the edges” before the pandemic, said Bishop Denis Nulty
Government now says public Mass is an offence despite earlier denials
Michael Kelly
EXCLUSIVE The Government has now insisted that it is an offence punishable by the law for a priest to celebrate public Mass, despite months of assurances that there is no penalty attached. This stance appears to be at odds with a statement to the Dáil by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in October dismissing concerns around…
Influential cardinal says God will not deny same-sex couples a blessing
Chai Brady
Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schönborn has insisted that he believes gay couples who ask God for a blessing “will not be denied.” He was speaking after the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a statement – approved by Pope Francis – reiterating the Church’s ban on priests blessing same-sex unions. The decree said…
Catholic school to switch patronage while ensuring religious education continues
The Church in Dublin has decided to hand over management of a Catholic Irish language school to another patron body after ensuring that religious education will continue under the new multi-denominational ethos. Archbishop Dermot Farrell hailed the transfer of patronage of Scoil Chaitlín Maude from the Archdiocese of Dublin to An Foras Pátrúnachta as “a…
Government dismisses TDs’ push for return to Mass for Holy Week
Pleas from TDs for a return to public worship for Holy Week were shot down in the Dáil last night (Thursday) as the Government insisted that it would not entertain discussion on the issue until Easter Monday, April 5 at the earliest. Rural Independent deputies Mattie McGrath, Carol Nolan, Michael Collins and Richard O’Donoghue made…
Schools feel let down by Govt 9-5 approach to Covid
Chai Brady, Ruadhán Jones and Jason Osborne Schools are frustrated by the lack of access to timely advice, according to the acting director of a Catholic schools’ body, as the Government has failed to offer the promised 24-hour support principals need. “Schools can only remain open to in-school teaching if the correct supports and sufficient…
‘Delight’ as churches reopen for Easter in North
There is “cautious optimism” and delight as Catholics return to public Mass in the North this week. The return in time for the celebration of Holy Week and Easter has been described as “great news” as people were at “the end of their tether”. Catholic activist Tracey Harkin told this paper: “I think the feeling…
TDs express outrage over fining of priest for saying Mass in public
Politicians have dubbed the fining of a priest for holding public Mass “disgraceful” and grossly unfair. This newspaper revealed at the weekend that Co. Cavan-based Fr PJ Hughes had been slapped with a €500 fine by gardaí after he left the doors of the church open so parishioners could feel free to attend Mass. This…
Bishop says blessing same-sex unions ‘not pastoral care’
“It’s not pastoral care” to bless the relationships of same-sex couples, says Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry, following backlash over a Vatican document on the blessing of same-sex unions. The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith’s (CDF) recent document which ruled that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions sparked controversy, as priests and bishops in…