The example of Irish missionaries martyred by communist forces during the Korean war could help renew the Faith in Ireland, a priest working on their cause has said. Six Irish Columban fathers and two missionaries of Irish descent died as “witnesses of modern and contemporary faith” during the conflict in Korea which lasted from 1950-1953.…
Month: July 2022
Campaigner fails in bid to silence popular Christmas carols
A disgruntled listener to RTÉ has failed in his bid to silence Christmas carols on the national broadcaster. Eoghan Ua Conaill, who described himself as non-Christian, complained to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) that he felt “stigmatised” by the popular Christmas carol O Holy Night being played on the station last Christmas. His complaint…
Archbishop Eamon: Synod can’t undermine Pope or bishops
The Synodal discussions can’t undermine the authority of the Pope or the bishops’ contrary to popular misunderstanding, Archbishop Eamon Martin said in a homily Saturday. This comes after the Vatican warned July 21 that the synodal process in Germany cannot adopt new approaches to the Church’s teaching on doctrines and morals. This was seen by…
RTÉ presenter was left ‘rattled’ by faith challenge
Staff reporter Brendan O’Connor has been wrestling with religion after a Harvard scientist told him that the best way to be happy is to have faith. Speaking on his Brendan O’Connor show on Saturday morning, Mr O’Connor recalled recent guest, Professor Arthur Brooks’, advice to “go back” to Catholicism if he wanted to be happy.…
David Trimble remembered as a man of peace
Staff reporter Tributes has been led to Nobel peace prize laureate David Trimble who died on Monday after a short illness. Mr Trimble – then the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party – was a key player in the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and was later awarded the prize along with John Hume.…
Priest shortage means change coming soon, says Archbishop O’Reilly
“Change is coming soon” to the diocese of Cashel and Emly, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly has warned, with 16 priests hitting retirement age in the next five years. In a pastoral letter accompanying the diocese’s clerical appointments, Archbishop O’Reilly said there will be a maximum of 35 priests under the age of 75 in five years’…
Prayer is the key for Gilbert O’Sullivan
Staff reporter Irish-born singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan has revealed that his Catholic Faith has been a constant support in his life. The writer of hit Alone Again – which spent six months as number one in the US charts – said that Mass is still a vital part of the practise of his faith. “Because I…
Taoiseach makes ‘emotional’ visit to Singapore POW chapel
Staff reporter On his state visit to Singapore, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid an “emotional” visit to a chapel built by prisoners-of-war during WWII. Mr Martin went to Changi Chapel and Museum to pay tribute to his uncle Philip, one of the POW’s interred at Changi camp and whose name is displayed on the chapel…
New in Brief
Oireachtas committee on assisted suicide expected in October A special committee to examine legalising assisted suicide is expected to begin in October according to People before Profit TD Gino Kenny. The committee was recommended in July, following the passage of the so-called Dying with Dignity Bill in the Dáil last year. The bill would give…
Abuse and cultural assimilation are not the same thing
Pope Francis is absolutely right to carry out his ‘penitential pilgrimage’ to Canada and unreservedly apologise for abuse, cruelty and mistreatment which First Nation children suffered in Canadian government institutions run by the Catholic Church. Wherever abuse, whether sexual or physical, has occurred, it should be named, investigated and the victims given full entitlements to…