The parish priest and team were looking around to see where and how Confirmations could be held, and came up with the idea of the racecourse which was open-air and allowed for social distancing.
"The people are really tired. They need psychological support and religious support because it has been a lot to deal with in a very short period of time," – Ms Yammine from Youth of Hope.
"It is essential to find a cure for this terrible virus, which has brought the world to its knees. We must also cure the larger virus of social injustice, inequality of opportunity, marginalisation, and lack of protection for the weakest."
"It has become increasingly clear that the wearing of face coverings is likely to reduce the spread of coronavirus, thus helping to protect others," say Irish Church leaders.
“The answer is not to deprive the migrant of housing; the answer is to solve your housing problem.”
“At times we are burdened and overwhelmed by the problems of the present moment and lose all sense of perspective, of the fact that we are on a journey,” said Archbishop Neary.
"It is feared that in the worst case scenario, at the end of 2020 there will be a decrease of about one billion international tourists, with a global economic loss of about 1,200 billion dollars," – Cardinal Turkson.
There had been concerns about the proposed project which included work around the Grade I Listed Slipper Chapel which was built in the mid-14th century, but the uncertainty about future visitor numbers due to COVID-19 added to those worries.
"For the safety of our parishioners, pilgrims, visitors, staff, volunteers and priests, Knock Shrine has taken the unprecedented and heart-breaking decision to close the Shrine and grounds for the 15th August only,” said Father Richard Gibbons, Rector, Knock.
“The year started with 168 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. COVID-19 has massively increased these needs. The impact on the poorest and most vulnerable is devastating and levels of human suffering are spiraling out of control,” - Dominic MacSorley, Concern
All this has exploded on our doorstep. The fact is that the poor and vulnerable will be the ones that will suffer most globally and locally in this pandemic - Fr Paddy Byrne.
“I know this is very difficult news particularly for the 38 parishes of Kildare & Leighlin affected by this two-week shutdown” - Bishop Denis Nulty.
Homeless figures had passed 10,000 in January 2020 but in June they were down to 8,699, which is 177 less than in May. Of the 8,699 people accessing emergency accommodation in June, 6,046 were adults and 2,653 dependents. There were 1,159 families in emergency accommodation.
“Joy is a perfect word as Mary’s Meals bring so much joy to the children, their families, their teachers, their communities,” said organiser Patricia Friel.
Ambassador of Ireland, Lesley Ní Bhriain, said: “Concern, Trócaire and GOAL are well placed to implement this essential response work in Sierra Leone, which will help around 400,000 people.”
It is “a festival of films about trafficking and the moves to combat what Pope Francis has described as a ‘crime against humanity’,” stated RENATE, which is inviting people to submit short four-minute films.
"We wouldn’t deny life-saving vaccination because of its dubious historic provenance," say the Bishops of England and Wales.
Sixty per cent of young people surveyed said that they are worried about Covid-19 when they think of returning to school.
When the COVID-19 pandemic is defeated, the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) would like the government to declare a national day of mourning and reflection.
The foundation is calling for a series of events remembering those who have died since COVID-19 arrived in this country in March. The aim would be to [...]
“These videos can be accessed at www.icatholic.ie along with accompanying notes and worksheets,” says Bishop Larry Duffy of Clogher.
"Energy usage during the restrictions has increased as people are at home more, and many households will experience bill shocks at a time when they are on a reduced income. This must be factored into decisions regarding the application of the PSO levy in 2020/2021, as the proposed increase will add additional pressure to already struggling households,” said Kieran Stafford, National President, SVP.
The European bishops hope that “the recovery fund will help the weakest economies, the economies most touched by the pandemic to grow, and to be there for people... so that also the next generation can live in peace and in certain prosperity,” said Cardinal Hollerich.
"We cannot and should not expect to return to where we had been prior to Covid-19," says Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam.
“It is not just a matter of re-opening the schools, it is putting in place the measures necessary to keep the schools open," says CPSMA general secretary Seamus Mulconry.
“We are hoping that the new format will increase participation,” says Fr Neil O’Donoghue, a lecturer in systematic theology.
"‘In Africa the priest helps the people, in the west the people help the priest’. May their presence among us help the development of lay ministry. We thank them for their inspiring presence and for coming to the diocese of Kerry,” said Bishop Browne.
“The concentration of job losses in low paid sectors means that the impact (of COVID-19) has disproportionately fallen on groups that are least able to endure a financial hit,” said Kieran Stafford, national president, SVP.
“Many people living in Ireland who are members of the Muslim faith call Ireland ‘home’. Croke Park as a venue for Eid Al Adha celebration will be symbolic to Irish Muslims in their ‘dual-identity’ as being both Irish and Muslim,” said Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri.
"The pandemic's effects are very particularly felt amongst the most vulnerable in society," says ACCORD NI regional director Deirdre O'Rawe.
"I do not feel that rushing Confirmations just in order to get them done will be the best experience for the children involved," says Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
