Felix Neumann (KNA) The Church lives from its traditions, rules and rites. The makers of Conclave are well aware of this. But do the new cinema film and its final punchline stand up to a fact check? The new conclave film by Oscar-winning director Edward Berger (Nothing New in the West) is visually stunning. Cardinals…
Making Christmas magic for everyone
Elaine Noonan As we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ-child this Christmas, we are reminded so keenly of the incredible challenge that the Holy Family endured all those years ago. Mary and Joseph, far from home due to the census, faced uncertainty and rejection as they searched for a place to stay.…
The election that was and the Government to come
Senator Rónán Mullen “The people of Mayo,” Michael Ring once said, “have voted for a Taoiseach, a Tánaiste – and a Minister!” That was in 2007 when FG and Labour fought the General Election on the back of a 2004 electoral pact which they had agreed and gravely termed the ‘Mullingar Accord’. The party leaders, Mayomen Enda…
The war on the weak and the good fight
Martina Purdy When Andrew Black was a boy, his mother would often say: “As long as you have your health, son…”. And he would nod in agreement. But years later, when he became a chaplain in a Belfast hospital, having been ordained a priest, he was meeting people, who no longer had their health, people…
‘Church should be bridge between prisoners and society’, Bishop Hayes
“The Church should be a bridge between marginalised people and the community”, Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes, who is also the Bishops’ Conference Liaison Bishop to the Irish Prison Service has said. Some of these marginalised people “often forgotten” by society are prisoners. “Of course, we have to acknowledge the fact that they would have…
Iconic Veritas Abbey St store to close and building sold
Known for its extensive collection of religious books and gifts, the historic Veritas store on Abbey St will close its doors in the first week of January 2025, following the sale of the building, according to sources close to Veritas. Despite repeated attempts from The Irish Catholic to contact management for clarification on the closure,…
Trócaire condemns final agreement at COP29
The COP29 conference has concluded on November 22, and the final agreement commits $300bn per year from richer countries to the Global South to develop climate plans. “When inflation is taken into account this is a minimal increase from the commitment of 100bn made in 2009,” Trócaire said in a statement. Which falls short on…
The Moving Crib: Unwrap the True Spirit of Christmas!
It’s that magical time of year again! The air is filled with festive cheer, and the familiar sights of holiday advertisements are everywhere. Are you ready to experience the true essence of Christmas? Mark your calendars for a visit to the Moving Crib—Dublin’s most magical hidden gem—opening its doors from November 28, 2024, to January…
Parties’ proposals to liberalise abortion are ‘monstrous’ and ‘barbaric’
A TD has described moves by political parties to abolish the mandatory three-day waiting period to access abortion medication and to extend the 12-week limit to allow for abortion on request as “monstrous” and “barbaric” and asked “is 40,000 abortions since 2019 not enough?”. Responding to the Labour Party and People Before Profit’s proposals to…
Hold politicians accountable on domestic violence this election
Sr Fiona Pryle Coming up to the elections, Ireland has a chance to do something radical! Will violence against women be on all the manifestos of the political parties and will they give a commitment to provide proper refuge spaces in each county? We, the voting public can hold our politicians accountable when they appear…