Catholic business Eternum Columbarium wants to provide a dedicated space for cremated remains, Ruadhán Jones hears The number of people opting for cremation instead of burials has risen steadily in Ireland and Northern Ireland over the last 20 years. In 2019, the figure sat at just under a quarter (22%) of deaths ending with cremation…
“But mummy it is only 8 o’clock. I am not tired yet.” “Tired or not we are back to school soon and you need your sleep.” Many households are the same, trying to return to their old routine after the summer. For many including myself it is a new stepping stone as my youngest is…
With the approval of Pope Francis, the Vatican has ordered the dissolution of an Italy-based community, which had its headquarters in Verona and communities in Medjugorje and Brazil. The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life determined the Regina Pacis Community was to be “suppressed”, citing problems with a lack of…
Personal Profile Fr Brendan O’Donoghue celebrated 65 years of priesthood this year, and though officially retired, he continues to work in the parish of Shannon, Co. Clare. Looking back on his ministry, especially his involvement in the social work of the Church, he recalls the ways the Lord led him on paths he didn’t expect.…
One of Europe’s leading cardinals has criticised the continent’s political leaders, and those throughout the west, for abandoning Afghani refugees, focusing more on numbers than on how best to help those fleeing violence. Speaking to SIR, the news outlet of the Italian bishops, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, archbishop of Luxemburg and president of the Commission of Bishops’…
In a new series, we share the reflections of some readers of The Irish Catholic as the Church in Ireland continues the synodal journey Fast and Pray: this is the traditional way to prepare and we should be encouraged to fast as much as we can. Abstinence on Fridays is not hard or we could…
Pope Francis names religious sister to no. 2 position in Vatican’s social development office Pope Francis last Thursday named Italian economist and Catholic religious sister Alessandra Smerilli as secretary of the Vatican’s social development office on an interim basis. Sr Smerilli was appointed ad interim secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development following…
We are married three years and in the last year or so my husband has been going out with his friends or work colleagues much more than before. He goes out every Saturday night and usually comes home drunk, really affecting our Sundays as a family because he is hungover and in a bad mood.…
Nothing so much approximates the language of God as does silence. Meister Eckhart said that. Among other things, he is affirming that there is some deep inner work that can only be done in silence, alone, in private. In the end, the other is heaven, the salvation for which we are ultimately destined. Utter aloneness…
German bishop says he’s sceptical about exempting priests from celibacy A German bishop who co-chairs the Synodal Path’s forum on priests said he is “sceptical” about exempting Catholic priests from celibacy. Bishop Felix Genn of Münster said he accepted that people were deciding not to become priests because they did not feel called to celibacy,…
Ruadhán Jones
Wendy Grace
Fr Ronald Rolheiser