The Archbishops of Armagh have called for all Christians to embrace “the light that has the last word and not darkness” and to pass on this light amid “life’s obscurity, complications, and suffering” in their joint Christmas message. Catholic Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin and Anglican Archbishop of Armagh John McDowell wrote collaboratively: “The Christmas…

Sometimes you just need a little reminder that decency is still out there. Some example of men and women coming together, applying their gifts and talents for the good of humanity. Thankfully, we’re still in a period of time where a mere glance into some of the endeavours of those working for justice and equality…

Priests should reach out for support if they are feeling stressed as Christmas approaches, the Auxiliary Bishops of Dublin and Armagh have urged. Having served for a long time as parish priest in Wicklow, Bishop Donal Roche expressed concern for priests who are busy all year round and particularly the increased pressure they face in…

The Catholic bishops at their winter general meeting have called for the Synodal Pathway which began in 2021 and which they called a “providential development”, to “now continue” and  “pick up speed during 2025”.  The Synodal Pathway was essentially on hold until the Synod in Rome ended in October, however Synodal maestro Cardinal Grech has…

The European Union’s plan to import 99,000 tonnes of cheaper beef into the European market every year from a range of South American countries has provoked questions from a priest-farmer, who said that he wouldn’t be happy if the imported beef was produced at a lesser standard than it currently is in Ireland and added…

The reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris happened last Saturday evening, December 7, five years after a fire destroyed part of the building. The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin attended the reopening Mass. Archbishop Martin was invited by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris, to represent the bishops…

The Brazilian community in Waterford (Católicos de Waterford) gathered for a Triduum and a procession for Our Lady from December 5-8. The event, a version of the Our Lady Aparecida procession which happens in Dublin annually, brought prayer and hymns to the streets of Waterford. The request for the event, said Scarleth Tavares, one of…

Pope Francis has recently urged priests to keep their homilies short, suggesting a maximum of ten minutes to ensure their message is clear. Speaking during a General Audience, the pontiff said, “After 8 minutes, preaching gets dispersive and no one understands. Never go over 10 minutes, ever! This is very important.” In response, three Irish…

Illiana Ochoa Bravo  The Bishop of Elphin and Apostolic Administrator of Achonry has said he is praying for the safety of the Syrian people and for a peaceful transition of power. Bishop Kevin Doran said on social media that he’s thinking of Johanna Ibrahim, his fellow student at the Irish College in Rome and the…

The performance of Catholic schools in the North, following the appearance of 7 Catholic schools on a recently published list of the 10 best schools in Northern Ireland, has been hailed by the Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown who said that in spite of the negative commentary directed at Catholic schools and Faith-based education “those…