As this newspaper went to press this week all eyes were on the cabinet meeting at which a further relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions was due to be discussed. The Taoiseach Micheál Martin had indicated to religious leaders in a letter that there would be a relaxation of the ban on public Masses by mid-May.…
The Sunday Gospel Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap. One of the saddest features of society today is the number of people who are homeless and sleeping rough. But another sort of homelessness is the plight of people who have lost all contact with God. The Gospel today (John 15:1-9) recalls one of the seven great…
Covid claims Catholic priests in Indian state Seven Catholic priests have died of Covid-19 in the space of four days in India’s Gujarat state, one of the worst-hit areas where government and private hospitals are adding more beds as infections spiral out of control. In one day, April 19, Gujarat reported as many as 7,107…
Dear Editor, I wish to congratulate you and your team for your excellent and thorough coverage of the appalling restrictions placed on religious worship throughout this pandemic. Despite assurances from the Heath Minister Stephen Donnelly last year that there would be no penal provisions put in place to deter people attending Mass and other religious…
Last time round we left the late Veronica Dunne about to audition at Covent Garden. She was accepted at once. Interestingly around the same time, Australian soprano Joan Sutherland (1926-2010), who would have a brilliant international career, had four auditions before being accepted as a ‘utility soprano’. She and Ronnie became lifelong friends. Ronnie made…
You would think that during times of national crisis we’d be concentrating on the basics, the crucially important stuff of life. And yet quite a lot of media time was taken up last week with the issue of gender-neutral bathrooms – a reflection perhaps of ‘woke’ obsessions and so many hours of broadcasting to fill.…
Carphone Warehouse closes Irish operations Dixons Carphone announced its decision to close the Irish Carphone Warehouse business last week. The closure is expected to lead to nearly 500 job losses. All 69 of its stores will close, as well as its 12 outlets within stores. Dixons Carphone confirmed that the move won’t affect Currys PC…
The thoughts and prayers of the Church in Scotland are now directed “to our brothers and sisters in Ireland”, the president of the Bishops’ Conference in Scotland has said. Commenting on the recent decision by the Irish Government to enact restrictions which criminalise public worship, Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen issued a statement, saying “As…
A Christian pastor held a worship service for about 60 people in Dublin’s Phoenix Park last Sunday, and said he plans on being there again this coming Sunday. Explaining his decision, Pastor John Ahern of All Nations Church in Dublin said “At the end of the day, I do think there are some things worth…
Pope Francis welcomed Lebanon’s designated prime minister, Saad Hariri, to the Vatican this week and expressed his hope that the country’s politicians would work together for the good of the nation. Mr Hariri, who was designated prime minister in October, has been unable to form a government, adding a political crisis to the severe economic…
Michael Kelly
Brendan O’Regan