In rejecting a version of Catholicism that diminished human freedom, led to outrageous scandal and that in retrospect is now seen to have diminished people and Church, Irish society seems intent on categorising religion and spirituality as unacceptable, irrelevant, even dangerous in a civilised society.
The leadership of the ACP protests in the strongest possible terms at a cartoon in the Irish Times that they perceive to be gratuitously insulting to Irish Catholic priests
Brendan Hoban, in this reflection published in the Western People, explores what it is about Good Friday that still resonates with our lives.
This review of the film ‘Calvary’ was written by Pat Moore, priest of Kerry diocese. He assures me it is well worth seeing.
Today’s liturgy gives us a preview of the events we will celebrate in the Easter Triduum later this week. The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus are the focus of this and every Sunday celebration.
The ACP calls on the Irish bishops to respond with courage and conviction to the direct challenge presented to them by Pope Francis
“The Pope explained that he could not take everything in hand personally from Rome. We local bishops, who are best acquainted with the needs of our faithful, should be corajudos, that is ‘courageous’ in Spanish, and make concrete suggestions,”
It would be difficult for us to continue operating normally without using banking services. Do we, or should we, have an ethical issue with the banking services we use as individuals and as a church?
Padraig McCarthy
We are grateful to Paddy Ferry for sending us this tribute to a great man and priest, Canon Michael Cassidy
In just over ten days time, the Easter Triduum will begin, on Holy Thursday evening. The time when baptism is celebrated is now very close. We ask God’s help for all the adults and children preparing for baptism this Easter, and pray that we may be fit and ready to renew our baptismal vows at the same feast.
Brendan Hoban in his Western People article reflects on what we can all learn from how authorities handled the whistleblowers in An Garda Siochána.
This article was first published in the book “Priesthood Today”, edited by Eamonn Conway. Brendan O’Rourke is a Redemptorist priest and psychotherapist. It is published here with the consent of the author.
Traditionally, this Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, which means ‘a day for joy’. Lent is half over, and the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus is nearer. At this midpoint of Lent, it is traditional to honour mothers, treasuring those still with us and praying for those we have lost to death.
After a very pleasant and enjoyable series of talks in various parts of the country, my ‘caravan’ is now coming to the capital. I am talking in the Stillorgan Park…
Clearly the ‘Francis effect’ is not making much impact on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as yet!!
praytellblog.com and the National Catholic Reporter are carrying reports that German Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst has been dismissed by Pope Francis.
Mary Vallely, who states she’s a JC fan (yes, both!), would like to share this reflection for Lent.
On the Feast of the Annunciation this article might give an impetus to the discussion on women’s contribution to salvation history
Brendan Hoban’s article in The Western People argues that Irish Bishops may be too careful and too averse to risk. Instead, he says, they need to give the type of leadership people are asking for.
Today’s readings about water and thirst remind us that this is a baptismal season. During Lent, many people all over the world look forward to their baptism, while those already baptised prepare to renew their promises.
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