Why have churches not been allowed to open for private prayer, when car showrooms and outdoor markets can open tomorrow? asks Cardinal Vin Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.
"It is distressing that more than half of all COVID-19 deaths have occurred in nursing care facilities," said Bishop Michael Router, chairman of the Episcopal Council for Healthcare.
"The pandemic has revealed that ‘faith matters’, not just for faith communities but for wider society,” says Dr Gladys Ganiel.
In the same week that “abortion pill reversal” was attacked in Ireland, news emerged that an unborn baby had its life ended in England after a woman took “pills by post” abortion drugs while 28 weeks pregnant - Pro Life Campaign.
One keynote speaker is the exceptionally popular and established teacher and author, Dr Scott Hahn. Fr Mike Schmitz, one of the most sought-after Catholic speakers in the US, will also be presenting at the online conference.
This Saturday, in preparation for Pentecost, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available across the Waterford and Lismore diocese in open-air venues. For the list of confession times and venues, see the diocesan website – Bishop Cullinan.
“I didn’t lose everything in one day – I didn’t lose my faith, I didn’t lose my hope and I didn’t lose God’s love for me” - Martina Purdy.
“Father McGivney has inspired generations of Catholic men to roll up their sleeves and put their faith into action,” Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said.
Archbishop Michael Jackson expresses solidarity with Leaving Cert students over the way the pandemic had affected their exams.
Increased need as people find themselves struggling financially as a result of losing their jobs or living on reduced income because of restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19.
“It is important that we as Church are ready to respond to any change in the current proposed timescale” - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Speaking to the Digital Parish, the popular composer and singer appealed to people not to forget those who are cocooning and do not have access to the web or social media.
Not being able to receive the Sacraments during the pandemic, "we were not being nourished and strengthened by them in the usual way” Bishop Dermot Farrell warns in his Pastoral Letter.
According to Fr Brian Grogan, within Irish culture holy wells remain places to visit to ask for healing and solace in times of difficulty and personal need. “Such times are with us now both in Ireland and globally due to the coronavirus.”
"We propose that, in addition to wearing face masks, ministers of the Eucharist would wear gloves, so there would be no contact of hands during the distribution of Communion," says Fr Dermot Leycock.
"Will virtual ministry become part of the post-pandemic landscape, and will this be a good move for your church?" ask the Mater Dei research team.
"We have a Christian duty to pray for the dead," says parish priest Fr Peter Byrne.
Encouraged by Pope Francis, Archbishop Eamon Martin invites grandparents and grandchildren to share their own stories this weekend – whether that’s over the phone, on social media, or by video call – about how they are “coping during the coronavirus crisis”.
“These guidelines hope to provide you with some information to help you make a well-informed decision about donating your organs after death,” said Bishop Paul Mason.
“Our interview with Fr Mike Schmitz is the first episode in a series called ‘Colloquy’. Each episode will be a recorded video call with different leaders in the Catholic world covering a range of topics,” says Edward Barrett-Shortt, co-founder of Called to More.
‘Theology and Ecology in Dialogue: The Wisdom of Laudato Si’ by Fr Dermot Lane seeks to build bridges between theology and ecology.
Lough Derg Prior Fr La Flynn, has issued an invitation for pilgrims to join him and the pastoral team for virtual one day retreats during the month of May. These day retreats will enable people to become part of a praying community in “real” time.
In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Archbishop Eamon Martin laments, “The harshest criticisms and mockery nowadays tends to come in social media - often from trolls, or people who have never met me.”
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam stated that the National Pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday is an important annual occasion for many people, and has a long and distinguished history. The Archdiocese of Tuam and the Parish of Westport took the decision to cancel in order to support the public authorities, and everyone’s efforts to suppress COVID–19
Churches can now open for private and personal prayer, provided the necessary precautions are in line with the guidelines.
“Cautious approach” adopted by the Executive, prioritising health and wellbeing, particularly of those who are most vulnerable, welcomed.
Diocese of Limerick will host an online liturgy for Leaving Cert students on the evening of the day their exams were due to start.
Poets of all ages are encouraged to explore the theme, ‘Standing Her Ground’, from a local to global perspective. Each year, the winning poems are published in booklet form and presented to the winners at an awards ceremony.
On the fifth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical letter, Laudato ‘Si, Bishop Mark
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“To not be able to receive communion at this most difficult time is very hard on people," says Fr Kevin McNamara, PP of Moyvane, Co. Kerry.
