Blog

The Health Service Executive (HSE) of Ireland has issued the following guidance document that gives general advice about preventing the spread of COVID-19 during religious services.

The Newman Institute, Edinburgh invite you to “Tradition and the Challenge of Same-Sex Unions” presented by Angela Hanley on Tuesday 10 March 7.30-9.30pm. Mayfield Salisbury Church, 18 West Mayfield
Edinburgh EH9 1TQ

We are Church Ireland invite you for a short (30 minutes) joyful gathering at the Apostolic Nuncio’s to celebrate International Women’s Day at 12.15 p.m. on Sunday 08 March 2020.

novenanews.com carries an interesting article by Mada Jurado on how in many places Catholic women are mobilising for International Women’s Day.
“The equality of every human being is a basic lesson of Christianity”
“women realise the time for asking is over, they are taking on the responsibility for the future of their Church – with or without permission.”

Chris McDonnell in the Catholic Times writes about Eating together, becoming one, a recently published book by Professor Tom O’Loughlin. Tom currently holds the chair of Historical Theology in the University of Nottingham and has recently retired as president of the Catholic Theological Association. In this book he addresses the complex issue of intercommunion amongst Christian churches.
“It is ironic that the very centre of nourishment within the Christian family has become the point of division between us, a matter of confusion rather than an occasion of joy and close companionship.”
“Yet too often we look for differences, we set up restrictive practices and discord takes the place of harmony. The advice from the priest over who may receive at weddings and funerals is but one telling example.”

We are Church Ireland present a talk by Brian Grogan SJ on “Pope Francis’ Gospel Centred Church” on 09 March at 7.30 p.m. in Mercy Centre International, 64a Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

Seamus Ahearne shares some reflections on on-going situations in the world about us.
“Despite all the storms (of life); hope emerges. We keep going.”
“We have to catch hope and light and beauty and wonder and laughter anywhere and everywhere.  That too is Spring.  It is truly Lent.”

Remarks Pope Francis intended to speak to priests in Rome were read to them in his absence due to a “slight indisposition”.

Chris McDonnell, in the Catholic Times, reflects on how we might beneficially use Lent this year.
“It is a time to ask questions, a pause time on a journey, a time when we might re-examine the baggage we carry from month to month, maybe a time to lighten the load.”
“So maybe there is a good question that we could all address this Lent, how might the Church meet the needs of the community without resorting to worn platitudes? …. We should encourage each other to face reality and trust that we might follow God’s Spirit as it moves in our hearts.”

Brendan Hoban, in his Western People column, reacts to the letter, Beloved Amazon, issued by Pope Francis last week.
“It is important for us to name the disappointment, the frustration, the sadness, the upset, the anger that are part of the fall-out from last week’s letter.”
“The answer is that for some people, and progressively more, the waiting is over. Parents with children – teenage and adult – understand why time is important. Our leaders seem to be in denial about the impact such catastrophic delays are having on the confidence and the membership of our Church.”

Pádraig McCarthy reminds us of, and comments on, the 2020 Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse.

Asked why a Latin rite Roman Catholic should know more about the Eastern rite traditions, Bishop Botean responded: “If a Catholic wants to know the Catholic Church, they need to know us. Because we’re a part of it. And Christianity has many forms outside of Western Christianity.”

In a country that seems to focus on negative news it is good to come across the story of three young sisters who despite huge personal tragedy and challenge are acting positively to help others.

Padraig McCarthy posits the idea that the preparation for first Holy Communion, and its celebration, is now totally undermined.
Is there anything to be done about it?

Seamus Ahearne challenges us to think what the message of Christ is for us in current circumstances. “What might it be?  Now. Here. For us.  Might we be politically sensitive like Francis in regard to the Amazon? In regard to our own land. Might he demand of us, to be politically challenging in our local Church?  Might he drag our leaders away from the mind-set of praying for vocations towards being radical in what vocation, actually means today? How about a sensible deconstruction of how Liturgy has been imposed on the Church?  Much of the language in the Books should be censored.  Should we ruthlessly check,  if it is an obstacle to worship? “