We need to use the synod to see what we can learn from the newer Catholic communities in Ireland, writes Sr Josephine Enenmo, OLA I am delighted at this opportunity to share my experience of being part of the Church in Ireland and my hopes for this journey titled: ‘For a synodal Church: Communion, Participation,…
The president of the Lithuanian bishops’ conference warned that his country and its neighbours could be targeted if Russian President Vladimir Putin imposes his will on Ukraine. Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius, who is also president of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, urged Western countries to maintain a “hard line of deterrence. “We’re in…
Catholic youth group Youth 2000 is “delighted and really excited” to be welcoming young Catholics back to their first major in-person event since March 2020, National Administrator for the group, Emma Maloney told this paper. Ms Maloney said the pandemic made it “very hard for single Catholics for the last two years to get out…
Staff reporter The Pope’s representative in Ireland has thrown his weight behind a new initiative for the renewal of faith through an all-island novena which follows in the steps of St Patrick. Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo visited St Patrick’s Church in Saul on the feast of Candlemas as part of a St Patrick’s novena. Archbishop…
Sunday marked the 63rd anniversary of an important turning point for 20th Century Catholicism, and one with direct relevance for understanding the current occupants of two of the most influential offices in Italy: Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and Sergio Mattarella, the recently re-elected President of the Republic. That turning point was the ordination of…
Weather warning over falling iguanas in Florida People in Florida have been warned that immobilised iguanas could fall out of trees due to unusually cold temperatures across the region. “Iguanas are cold-blooded. They slow down or become immobile when temps drop into the 40s (4-9 Celsius). They may fall from trees, but they are not…
US pastor resigns after discovering invalid baptisms Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix said baptisms performed by a priest during years of ministry in the diocese are invalid, leading to the resignation of the clergyman, February 1. In a January 14 letter to the diocese, Bishop Olmsted said diocesan officials learned from the Vatican Congregation for…
Over the past week, two leading European cardinals, both of whom enjoy broad favour with Pope Francis, have made public statements calling for a change in the Catholic Church’s current position on the issues of homosexuality and priestly celibacy. Homosexual relationships In an interview published in Germany’s Catholic News Agency (KNA) earlier this week, Jesuit…
A Parent’s Perspective If you were to believe some of our popular media, you could be convinced that Confirmation is just a mere rite of passage, a cultural or ceremonial ritual that marks the passage of childhood into adulthood. It’s often presented as a Sacrament involving a decision to embrace or choose the Catholic faith,…
Just before Christmas the international press carried worrying stories about the renovation and future use of Notre Dame de Paris, one of the most important and pre-eminent churches, not just in Europe, but in the world. Middle Ages It has had, since the Middle Ages, a special place also too in the life and imagination,…
John L. Allen Jr.
Maria Byrne
Peter Costello