"The gift of a new child, entrusted by the Lord to a father and a mother, begins with acceptance, continues with lifelong protection and has as its final goal the joy of eternal life," – Pope Francis.
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has listed on its website some resources for use in dioceses, parishes and in the home during the Season of Creation 2020.
We take this opportunity to invite all those affected by abortion - women and men - to avail of spiritual, sacramental and pastoral support, and we assure them that they will be welcomed without judgement and helped to find healing and peace – Council for Life.
"In accordance with current public guidelines, bishops expect that the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin to be celebrated from late summer onwards," – Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
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.
There are many people feeling alone and isolated at the moment and we hope that our short pieces of audio can assist people in living Holy Week in their homes – Archbishop Eamon Martin.
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”.
Jesus calls on us, his followers, to serve the common good by taking responsibility for each other and to prioritise the most vulnerable in our community ahead of our own individual wants and aspirations – Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The mission of Viatores Christi is to work in solidarity with partner organisations to improve the lives of local people by improving access to basic services.
“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.
“The theme for Catholic Schools Week this year encourages us to see that we all have a responsibility to care for the earth, not just for our own future, but for the future of every one of God’s creatures,” says Fr Paul Connell.
"The Holy Land Coordination stands in solidarity with all Christians in Israel and Palestine."
"I thank him for his outstanding service to date in our Diocese and know that you will all join with me in wishing him every blessing in his new role" – Bishop Duffy.
"We encourage all Catholics to make time during the season of Advent to celebrate and receive the gift of God’s love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation” – Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Catholic new year and the time of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s coming at Christmas. It is a time of waiting, conversion and hope – Archbishop Eamon Martin.
‘We are very excited. We hope it will be a moment of grace for us here in the North and for all of Ireland as well’ – Manuel McGivern, spokesperson for Focolare.
“Bishop Leo has worked untiringly with many others to bring the various stakeholders within the Catholic educational sector into dialogue, and promoted increased co-operation and collaboration.”
The Catholic bookseller will focus on online sales, which were up 52 per cent this year.
Referring to the referendum to remove the offence of blasphemy from the Constitution of Ireland, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference stated that the law is "largely obsolete”, but that the promotion of freedom of religion and conscience greatly enriches the social fabric of a country.
“It is essential for us as a Church which cares passionately about the gift of life, and wants to support both mothers and their unborn children, to seek better ways of responding to this new and very challenging reality.”
We are deeply honoured that Pope Francis will come to our country to participate in this universal Church celebration of faith and joy, as well as of the contemporary challenges which face families. - Irish Bishops
This ruling makes the forthcoming referendum more important than ever, according to the Iona Institute, which said that the Eighth Amendment is now the “only constitutional protection” that children have before birth.
A native of Craughwell, and a priest of longstanding, dedicated service in the diocese of Galway, is returning to his roots - Archbishop Eamon Martin.
“We had a constructive discussion with the Taoiseach and his ministers and we focused on issues which are fundamental to sustaining the common good of Irish life” – Archbishop Eamon Martin.
“Because of the situation at the moment and the lack of action [on this issue] many prisoners and their families are living lives of quiet desperation,” said Fr Gerry McFlynn.
It has made me stop and think as a parent how to best live out the gospel.
Twenty-nine men representing twenty-six dioceses begin their five-yearly pilgrimage to Rome this weekend.
Annual profits generated from trafficking in humans are as high as $32 billion (€29.1 billion) as 2.4 million people are trafficked globally.
“It demonstrates to our elected representatives that protection of creation is important to us” - Bishop John McAreavey.
Terms of reference to include mortality rates, burial practices, forced adoption and clinical trials.
