The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place from 18 – 25 January 2021. This year, resources have been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. The theme that was chosen, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to...

I welcome the publication of the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in Ireland. It is a very substantial piece of work. It will take some time to read it and to take on board the implications of what it contains. The women who lived in the Homes, came from...

Last February, I had the privilege of visiting Bethlehem with a group of pilgrims. It was my first time to visit the Holy Land. Those seven days helped to put some new shape on the Bible for me, and I have found that very helpful during what has turned out to be a very difficult...

The contemporary celebration of Christmas is a mix of religious and cultural traditions and customs. While modern times have seen the feast take on commercial and secular tones, at its heart, it still remains for many the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. Retelling the story of the first Christmas has the innate power...

Fourth Sunday of Advent 20 December: Bishop Paul Dempsey Third Sunday of Advent 13 December: Ms Aileen Cawley “Our journey towards Hope” – the true meaning of Christmas and beyond   Second Sunday of Advent 6 December: Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll “If we lose our memory, we destroy our future” (Pope Francis): How the Irish Church...

As the commercial world about us readies itself for the Christmas season we are invited to take a step back and view the bigger picture: the key Christian belief that life is a sacred journey towards eternity and that someday “at an hour we do not expect”, Jesus will return again to bring finality to...

My father used often say, “the longest way round is the shortest way home”. John Mahony set out on his vocational journey in 1976. He completed his formation with the Kiltegan Missionaries and was ordained a deacon in 1982, after which he spent two years as a missionary in Malawi. From then on he took...

The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference welcomes the encouraging news that a number of vaccines for COVID-19 are at an advanced stage of preparation and are likely to be available for use in the near future.  The Catholic Church recognises that safe and effective vaccination is an essential aspect of the prevention of disease.  We are...

With the beginning of Advent last Sunday, preparations have begun in earnest in parishes across the country for the celebration of Christmas – albeit in a very different context this year.  Priests working with Parish Pastoral Councils are making decisions at a local level on how best to celebrate Christmas in a safe manner. We...

The first day of Advent heralds the beginning of the Catholic Church’s new year.  Advent (from ‘ad-venire’ in Latin or “to come to”) is the Church season encompassing the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas.  Advent is a time of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s coming at Christmas.  Advent also...