Thousands of young people gathered in Co. Laois for Electric Picnic. At the same time, another significant youth event was quietly taking place in Co. Kildare. The Youth 2000 festival. “Electric Picnic is not the most important youth event this weekend. This one is. This is the future of Ireland,” said Fr John Harris OP…
The French government urged “extreme vigilance” in the face of a “very high” terrorist threat to religious demonstrations and places of worship on the solemnity of the Assumption, one of the most holy days in the Catholic calendar. Gérald Darmanin, the French minister of the interior, warned regional officials in a Tuesday message through the…
Speaking at the Knock novena, Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin said that there is no real conflict between science and religion. “There is really no conflict between faith and science. Both faith and science seek the truth. Science approaches the truth by examining physical evidence. Faith goes beyond the physical evidence to seek answers to…
A Christian woman in Britain who was arrested after silently praying outside an abortion clinic has been awarded a £13,000 (€15,254) payout and an apology from the police. Isabel Vaughan-Spruce issued a claim against West Midlands Police for wrongful arrests and false imprisonments, assault and battery in relation to an intrusive search of her person,…
Vatican peace envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi spoke last week with a Chinese government official about the Russia-Ukraine war. The phone conversation was the most recent step in the Vatican’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace in the region. Cardinal Zuppi’s August 14 phone call with Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, followed…
The parishioners of Foxrock in Dublin have been paying tribute in their hundreds to their priest Fr Derek Smyth who died recently. Paul Markey Chair of Foxrock Parish Pastoral Council described him on rip.ie as “An inspirational priest full of humility and kindness. His homilies were truly mind provoking and many times were received with…
In Scotland, the bishops’ conference has submitted evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on a proposal to legalise assisted suicide. Liam McArthur, a member of the Scottish Parliament, introduced the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill earlier this year. It would allow terminally ill adults in Scotland to…
Sr Agnes Sasagawa, a Japanese nun whose purported visions of the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Akita included stark warnings for humanity and instructions to pray the rosary and repent of sin, died August 15 at age 93. Sr Sasagawa was a convert from Buddhism. A parish priest in Akita, Japan,…
Letter of the week Young priests giving hope Dear Editor, I’ve just returned from some time spent in Knock where I met several people who had forgotten the value of this newspaper – there are so many good articles. I find Fr John Harris’ articles so very good. Today many great blessings are bestowed on…
It is 2024. Ireland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, one of the most educated populations, running a budget surplus with a stable democracy and solid tax-base, yet repeatedly we are hearing that Ireland’s state care system for children is in a state of crisis. Most recently, we learned that Department of…