If there is a poverty in our Church today, it is above all, a poverty of imagination, the Archbishop of Dublin has said. “Renewal in the faith is not going to come because we adopt some new management strategy that will address our current shortcomings in ministry and mission. Renewal in faith requires a new…
Category: News
Deputy calls for action on Tusla failures to assign social workers to children
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called for urgent action following a judgment delivery on how Tusla handled the cases in which children under their care have been left without a designated social worker. Deputy Tóibín said that “there are some very concerning revelations in this judgement. Tusla are supposed to ‘re-enter’ a case in…
Young Catholics in South Sudan make walking pilgrimage for peace
In 2023, young Catholics from the Diocese of Rumbek, South Sudan, organised a 240-mile walking pilgrimage to Juba for Pope Francis’ visit. What began as a one-time journey has now become an annual tradition. Sr Orla Treacy, an Irish religious of the Loreto Sisters, recalled the enthusiasm of the young South Sudanese eager to see…
First Mass in Portuguese takes place in Dundalk
A group of around 50 Brazilians gathered in St Joseph’s Redemptorist Church in Dundalk, Co. Louth for the first Mass in Portuguese in that parish. The Mass was presided over by Fr Richard Delahunty, who lived in Brazil for over 30 years, and co-celebrated by Fr Brendan Callanan. During the traditional Brazilian Mass, the attendees…
Syria: the Christian paradise turned into a jihadist hell
Although the situation in Syria remains volatile, Irish Catholic readers should be in no doubt what they should do to ameliorate the plight of those Syrians, who have so far survived the carnage. Besides informing themselves of the situation so they can lobby their political and religious leaders, they can donate to Aid to the…
French bishops publish major study to boost interest in faith, help save churches
Following the publication of the General Estates on Religious Heritage report, French bishops are spearheading efforts to restore historic churches, not only to preserve architectural treasures but also to renew interest in the faith. Across France, from Marseille to rural Normandy, communities are celebrating the revival of their Catholic heritage. On February 2, restoration work…
Shroud of Turin to be showcased online during Holy Year
The Shroud of Turin will be digitally showcased during the Holy Year 2025, allowing visitors to engage with the revered relic like never before. The shroud, a linen cloth many believe is the burial shroud of Jesus Christ and bears his image, traditionally draws thousands of pilgrims during rare public displays. While there will be…
United in the Spirit: parish partnership brings faith to life
“I am hoping that the Spirit will be very busy here,” said Bishop Donal Roche as he opened the Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) in the Our Lady of Good Counsel parish hall. This initial meeting marked the beginning of a seven-week series, organised by the St Colmcille Parish Partnership in South Dublin, bringing…
St Pauls opens bookstores in Letterkenny and Derry
An answered prayer for local communities The recent launch of two new St Pauls’ stores in Letterkenny and Derry is an exciting event for the local communities. These openings come at a time when many people in Donegal and Northern Ireland were feeling the loss of the Veritas stores. “There is a need for spiritual…
Researchers: Boredom prevents people from attending church services
A recent study has shown that ‘spiritual boredom’ can deter people from religious practices. This study by the Universities of Vienna and Sussex, was first published in the specialist journal, Communications Psychology. Lead researcher, Thomas Götz advised church leaders to pay more attention to this phenomenon and to counteract it with more appealing sermons. “The…