"Our charity provided the only human contact that clients experienced during the pandemic as they were required to self-isolate or cocoon. The grant has been invaluable," says Ruth Harkness of The Little Flower Penny Dinners.
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.
“Prayer is hope in action,” says the Bishop of Ossory.
“Like the flight attendant’s instructions ‘Put on your own mask first’, hope never encourages any kind of disdain for common sense and responsibilities of protecting human life and the common good,” said Bishop Farrell.
Archbishop Eamon Martin supports Bishop Phonsie Cullinan’s initiative which aims to encourage people to care for one other "at this difficult time.”
On World Day of Consecrated Life, bishops urge religious not to wear themselves out ensuring the survival of structures inherited from previous centuries which no longer correspond to life today.
“In a time where some speak of a ‘post-truth’ society, one in which ‘alternative facts’ and ‘fake news’ are the order of the day, we know that ‘the word of God is alive’ (Heb 4:12)” – Bishop Dermot Farrell.
In his homily at a Mass in St Kieran’s College for priests celebrating their ordination jubilees, the Bishop of Ossory stressed that the kingdom of God does not come about by “being passive”.
Capuchins apologise, saying Fr Tom Forde’s comments were not intended to “cause hurt to anyone”.
“The great challenge, now as it was then, is to create a society which will enable all of its citizens to flourish in equality in a country with an identifiably distinctive voice in Europe and in the world, an Irish republic, a sovereign independent state to use the words of the Proclamation.”
Bishop Dermot Farrell of Ossory acknowledges that speaking of the sexual abuse perpetrated by some members of the clergy is painful and unpleasant.
“The family is the privileged place of encounter and growth – parents are the first teachers, the home is the first school of humanity.”
There is “little sense of mission within the Catholic Church in Ireland” and no sense of what that mission should be, Bishop Dermot Farrell tells conference in Kilkenny.
“The courage of abuse survivors who first brought the horrific truth of sexual abuse to light must continue to be matched by our courage to listen to the survivors and to respond in truth and in justice to all of them.”
Funeral of the 87-year-old Bishop Emeritus who died on Wednesday will take place on Saturday at St Mary’s Cathedral.
Seven bishops issue pastoral letters on Eighth Amendment over bank holiday weekend in a bid to influence more people to vote No in the upcoming referendum.
"The slope of the aging population, along which Ireland is sliding, presents major challenges. Perhaps never before has there been such a need to care for the aging poor."
“He takes a huge interest in people and their lives, particularly when they face difficult times, such as bereavement.”
Words alone are not enough - love has to show itself in action. That is the vocation of everyone, particularly of the bishop. - Dermot Farrell on his first day as Bishop of Ossory
