Pope Benedict XVI announced this morning that he is to create 22 new cardinals. 18 of the new cardinals will be eligible to vote in a papal election since they are under the age of 80 while 4 are considerd honourary cardinals being age over 80. Here is the list of the 22 cardinals-designate, in…
The Government has announced this evening that it has established a so-called ‘expert group’ to look at the issue of abortion. In December 2010 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Ireland must clarify the circumstances under which abortion would be legal in the State. However, crucially the case does not mean…
A very impressive total of 75 TDs and Senators met with the Ireland Stand Up group yesterday which is campaigning in favour of the reopening of the Irish embassy to the Holy See. Most people don’t believe the Government’s claim that the embassy was closed for financial reasons. Most people believe it was closed for…
With just 19 weeks to go to the opening of the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin a visit from Pope Benedict XVI seems increasingly unlikely. Well, at least to the Republic. But, the Pope could still make a visit to the North as part of a carefully choreographed sequence aimed at demonstrating just how…
Tyrone man devotes himself to pilgrimage As Catholics there are many ways that we can show devotion to our faith. Regular attendance at Mass and perhaps voluntary work in our dioceses are ways that spring to mind immediately. Then there are pilgrimages. Year after year Irish people flock to significant religious destinations on the…
Dublin’s Capuchin Day Centre is working to meet increasing needs, writes Paul Keenan Mid-way through his interview at the Capuchin Day Centre, gardai come for Bro. Kevin Crowley. The interruption and feigned admissions of guilt become a moment of levity in an otherwise serious dealing with the ongoing work of — and need for…
Wexford parish concludes year of service The faith community of St Martin, Piercestown and St Catherine, Murrintown in Co. Wexford came together last weekend to mark the conclusion of a successful Year of Celebrating Service. The idea for the special year came from the joint pastoral council formed in 2009 who were looking at ways…
Vatican may face huge tax bill The head of the Italian bishops’ conference has signalled the Vatican may be willing to examine tax obligations amid new austerity measures in Italy. As world media reported a growing campaign within the country’s parliament towards seeking taxation on the Vatican’s extensive property portfolio, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco indicated…
Letter from Australia: The Battler of Ballarat George Weigel hails the ministry of Cardinal George Pell In the Baltimore of the 1960s, my canny pastor devised a neat scheme for getting ‘Father Visitor’ (as the confessional doors read) to fill in during the summer for his vacationing curates: bring over newly-ordained Australians from their…
Is St Nicholas buried in Ireland, asks Tom Prenderville St Nicholas of Myra was the Bishop of Lycia in modern day Turkey. Renowned for his extraordinary generosity, in his lifetime he was venerated as a living saint. However, during the Saracen (Muslim) revolt which began in 1087, Eastern Christendom came under increasing attack.…