“To insist on debt repayment in the face of the suffering caused by this pandemic would be an affront to the faith traditions that we represent. There is an overarching moral case for debt relief in many faiths,” state the bishops and religious leaders in the UK.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution last Thursday demanding a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations in order to provide aid to countries to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement on Monday, the bishop-elect said, “The Church of the future is about the increased involvement of lay people; of people and priests working together.”
The bishop noted that Pope Francis has asked people to pray for political leaders as they seek the common good, and to be courageous in caring for people on the margins, those whose life needs special protection, and all who are vulnerable.
“Mother of mercy”; “Mother of hope”; and “Solace of migrants” are the new invocations which were announced by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in Rome on the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on 20 June.
It is a source of joy for me to know that we now have a rescheduled date of Sunday 30 August for my Episcopal Ordination as Bishop of Achonry – Fr Paul Dempsey, PP of Newbridge and Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Achonry.
“Time devoted to prayer can never become an alibi for neglecting our neighbour in need,” says Pope Francis.
JUNE : Compassion for the world
“We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life,” said Pope Francis.
“We will perhaps look back on these years, remembering not just COVID-19 but also a pandemic of banality that expects little for and from human beings.”
"Our Lady’s appearance at Knock gave people a sense of hope. Ireland needs to hear that message again at a time when so many are under pressure, depressed, and fearful” - Campbell Miller, director of 'Hope'.
In his Pentecost message for the 'Thy Kingdom Come' movement, the Pontiff expressed the desire that Christians would be more deeply united as “witnesses of mercy” for the human family in a world experiencing a “famine of hope.”
“Father McGivney has inspired generations of Catholic men to roll up their sleeves and put their faith into action,” Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said.
“It is important that we as Church are ready to respond to any change in the current proposed timescale” - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Speaking to the Digital Parish, the popular composer and singer appealed to people not to forget those who are cocooning and do not have access to the web or social media.
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.
According to Fr Brian Grogan, within Irish culture holy wells remain places to visit to ask for healing and solace in times of difficulty and personal need. “Such times are with us now both in Ireland and globally due to the coronavirus.”
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
