The Diocese of Wonju, South Korea, held a ceremony last July, blessing the martyrdom site and unveiling a life-size statue of ‘Servant of God’ Fr James Maginn SSCME (1911-1950), who was martyred while guarding the church during the Korean War. Fr Maginn, whose beatification is being promoted by the Korean Church, was raised in Belfast…
When he was in Kenya recently, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin stepped into a Nairobi hotel lift and instantly recognised the man who happened to step into the lift at the same time. Fr Sean Barry, an outstanding hurler from Cork and member of the 1966 All Ireland winning team. Mr Martin also met with another…
As a student at the University of Toronto decades ago, I used to ride the subway downtown and, occasionally, would find myself sitting next to a man in full make-up, dressed in a mini-skirt and high heels. Raised in the sheltered suburbs, it was a bit of a shock but, having been taught to treat…
Thousands of pilgrims from throughout the country climbed to the top of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’ in Co. Mayo last Sunday for the annual pilgrimage ‘Reek Sunday’. The event saw people from all ages ascending the rocky paths on the 765 metres mountain. Traditionally, Reek Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of July.…
Bishops and prominent prelates from around the world have joined the French Bishops’ Conference and US bishops in criticising the Paris Olympics opening ceremony held on July 26 for its depiction of the Last Supper, calling it a deeply deplorable derision of Christianity. The controversial scene, part of the €1.5 billion spectacle to kick off the…
We each have a purpose given to us, writes Katie Fillion I was recently attending a formation course for catechists aimed at working with children between 6-9 years old. One theme that we focused on was the child’s growing capacity for understanding time and history. In the same way that they can remember events from…
Dean Céitinn Following his election as Green Party leader, Roderic O’Gorman has signalled his intention to bring the Hate Speech Bill back into the legislative agenda. This was after months of speculation that the Hate Speech Bill would not proceed and die when this Dáil completed its term. However, renewed calls to proceed with the…
The Hozana Association has launched a new app called ‘Rosary’ with the aim of supporting Olympic athletes through prayer. Cassandre Verhelst, a spokesperson for Hozana, spoke with this paper, encouraging the Irish Church to participate in the Olympics spiritually. “We thought the initiative was great and wanted to allow people to participate in the Olympics…
Democracy and solidarity: On the cultural roots of America’s political crisis James Davison Hunter (Yale University Press, £30.00 / €36..00 / US$40.00 ) Some years ago, three married couples from Texas, USA, contacted us. They were touring Ireland in pursuit of their ancestors. They thought that we might be a branch of one of their family’s…
Pope Francis has appointed a Dublin diocesan priest as an Archbishop-elect. Monsignor John Kennedy is currently Secretary of the Disciplinary Section of the Dicastery for the Congregation of the Faith at the Vatican. The body has a Doctrinal and Disciplinary section each coordinated by a Secretary who assists the Prefect in the specific area of…
Renata Milán Morales
Renata Steffens
Martina Purdy