Bishop of Derry tells pilgrims at National Padre Pio Pilgrimage in Knock, “It is a dangerous form of Christianity that believes we have to be a strong and influential organisation giving the lying impression of being pure and perfect.”
The family is not a closed place but must always be missionary and have that same drive towards the periphery, towards those who are marginalised – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
“Many people continue to limp through life because of the brutal actions of others. For this town, something changed forever that day,” he said.
“You cannot claim to love your country and at the same time cause pain and destruction to the people who live there.”
“Our first purpose is to give support and encouragement to the increasingly small Catholic community in the Holy Land,” says Bishop Donal McKeown.
Damage caused to stained glass window in Christ Church, Derry. (pic courtesy of BBC)
The Catholic Bishop of Derry, [...]
“Your lifestyle will be a protest against the stifling hedonism that is presented as the best we can hope for. Belief in God is not repression of our dignity but an invitation to the individual greatness that is God’s dream for each of us.”
Between 27 to 29 April, Bishops Donal McKeown and Ken Good will undertake a 30-mile walk together to promote reconciliation and highlight their shared Christian heritage.
“We have buried many people and many facts – and often hope that time will erase their memory. But Resurrection tells me that you cannot kill the truth and bury it.”
“Obviously the World Meeting of Families is going to involve a huge expenditure and an enormous investment by the Irish Church but it is an investment in our future and not just an event over five or six days in August 2018.”
“These crosses come to us unbidden and unwanted as occasions for deep and anguished faith,” priest tells congregation at funeral of Ryan McBride.
Martin McGuinness “made an immense contribution to sustaining peace by reaching out a hand of friendship and reconciliation and being prepared to model alternatives to dispute and division” – Archbishop Eamon Martin.
"It takes enormous courage to be a peacemaker and he was an apostle of mercy, whether as a curate, as a bishop or as chaplain in the Foyle Hospice.”
Pope tells Munich rally Europe should be an open and welcoming continent, and continue to establish ways of working together that are not only economic but also social and cultural.
Against background of Brexit, Together for Europe gathering in Munich is a prophetic sign. "We need to keep the ideals of the founders of the EU alive."
"Make sure that the sacrifice of celibacy is matched with simplicity of life-style. A pampered celibacy is a counter-sign of Christ’s call.”
“We may be facing a period of renewed nationalism, as well as strident regionalism within some current states,” Bishop McKeown warns.
The Pope has expressed his desire to attend and a visit by the Pope would bring great joy to Irish Catholics, but confirmation unlikely before the end of 2017.
Sr Clare's "life and death have posed questions for many of her contemporaries – what is worthwhile doing in life, what makes a beautiful person, who we want as our idols?”
“Sr Clare spent nearly 15 years of her life in consecration to the Lord. She was a generous sister with a special gift for reaching out to children and young people.”
Pilgrims invited to Music Ministry Together weekend to learn music, get to know each other, and gain a deeper understanding of music in the liturgy of the Church.
Rev Malachy Gallagher is preparing for service in the Diocese of Derry and Rev Bill O’Shaughnessy is preparing for service in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
“At a time like this I realise that any words of mine are totally inadequate. The enormous tragedy that has struck this family has stunned us all into silence."
“Patrick did not play on differences but knew that faith could build bridges rather than walls” – Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry.
Church needs to challenge the consumer society which benefits from selling 'things' offering ‘salvation’ on the surface but neglect the inner reality of people’s lives.
Other dioceses host 24 hour vigil as part of the Church’s Jubilee of Mercy declared by Pope Francis.
"Jesus challenges our schools to prize mercy over an educational mannequin parade" - Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry.
"I heard figures recently suggesting that the average 16 year old in Great Britain is more likely to have a iPhone at home than their dad" - Bishop Donal McKeown.
"Events from the past must be commemorated with mercy and never with arrogance, triumphalism or victimhood” - Bishop Donal McKeown.
"Don’t bury your talents! Bet on big ideals, those ideals that enlarge the heart, and those ideals that will make your talents fruitful": John McAreavey.
