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”.
‘Theology and Ecology in Dialogue: The Wisdom of Laudato Si’ by Fr Dermot Lane seeks to build bridges between theology and ecology.
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
Diocese of Limerick will host an online liturgy for Leaving Cert students on the evening of the day their exams were due to start.
I would like to devote this year’s Message to the theme of storytelling, because I believe that, so as not to lose our bearings, we need to make our own the truth contained in good stories – Pope Francis.
Stressing that nurses deserve to be more fully valued and their working conditions improved, Pope Francis said the pandemic had brought to light healthcare deficiencies in some countries.
Believers of all religions and people of goodwill have been invited to implore the divine to help humanity in overcoming the pandemic caused by Coronavirus.
The experiences of Catholic charities and clergy reflect a growing body of evidence that BAME and Gypsy, Roma, Travellers (GRT) communities are being harmed particularly by this pandemic – Bishop McAleenan.
Archbishop Eamon Martin has told Leaving Cert and A Level students that the Covid-19 emergency has "gatecrashed what is such an important and special year in your lives, and it has left you wondering: what happens next?”
May: Deacons
In a new biography, 'Benedict XVI: A Life', the retired pope rejects accusations of interfering in church debates since his resignation in 2013, claiming this is a “malicious distortion of the truth.”
Speaking in St John's Cathedral, the Bishop of Limerick said the restrictions over these past weeks have taught people that "time is something we can’t control. Time is a gift.”
April: Liberation from addictions
“Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course,” prays Pope Francis.
I am very encouraged that global use of the death penalty has decreased for another year. However, hundreds of people are still being executed by their governments and in some countries, the number has increased dramatically – Bishop Declan Lang.
Let us not lose the opportunity to give further proof of solidarity ... The only alternative is the selfishness of particular interests and the temptation of a return to the past.
Pontiff pays tribute to the “saints who live next door” describing the doctors, volunteers, religious sisters, priests and shop workers who continue to perform their duty as “heroes”.
People are praying more at home, which has become, as at the beginning of Christianity, the “domestic Church”.
“This action, which is not taken lightly, is ... the only way of guaranteeing that vulnerable people, who might be so inclined to call into the church to pray or light a candle, are more encouraged to stay at home and keep within the regulations” – Bishop Nulty.
Bishop Leahy pays tribute to the Limerick COVID-19 Community Response which is ensuring that the daily needs of the elderly, unwell or those with a confirmed diagnosis or those isolating on suspicion of having COVID-19 are met.
"Just like those disciples, we too have realised that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together can we do this," said Pope Francis.
Pope Francis’ blessing will be an opportunity to avail ourselves of Divine Grace. I encourage everyone to watch this special broadcast – Archbishop Eamon Martin.
Bishop Brendan Leahy and his Church of Ireland counterpart Bishop Kenneth Kearon will participate in the ecumenical prayer live on webcam from Mount Saint Alphonsus in Limerick city at 11am today.
“Social distancing cannot be allowed to create social isolation and, through prayer, as Pope Francis said on Sunday, we can overcome,” said Archbishop Eamon Martin.
“I would like to propose to all Christians that, together, we lift our voices towards Heaven,” said the pope, who will start saying the ‘Our Father’ in Rome on Wednesday at 10am Irish time.
The Easter ceremonies will take place in Rome but it is still uncertain how these celebrations will be conducted and who will participate in them, as this is currently under review and evolving.
Archbishop Eamon Martin supports Bishop Phonsie Cullinan’s initiative which aims to encourage people to care for one other "at this difficult time.”
Irish bishops welcomed the recent announcement by Pope Francis that the theme of the synod in October 2022 will be “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission”.
Catholics in China
The Church of the Nativity and other places of worship in Bethlehem are shut, all tourism and religious sites across the West Bank are closed and all tourists banned from the West Bank for an unspecified period.
