For many, our celebration of Easter this year comes at the end of what seems to have been a very long Lent, many months and still counting. We have been convulsed by the sadness of innumerable deaths and so much sickness as a result of Covid-19.  And we all have been starved of so many […]

I was praying the Stations of the Cross during the week, here in the Cathedral.  For some reason, I was struck by the image of the fourteenth station, when Jesus, having been taken down from the Cross, is laid in the tomb. The image suggested a very small gathering, with only a tiny handful of […]

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh I am “conscious this year of the victims of the Covid crisis, including those who are finding it more and more difficult to cope with lockdown: the lonely and bereaved; those who are unable to see or embrace loved ones; those for whom the last year has brought increased financial or […]

Ministry In our celebration today we focus on the gift of ministry in our Church. In doing so, I firstly rejoice and thank God for the outstanding dedication of so many of our priests in the diocese who continue to minister so generously, most especially in these challenging pandemic times.  Their witness of presence, prayer […]

One Year On Over the last year we have witnessed the wonderful courage, sacrifice and kindness of so many people.  We have lots of Good Samaritans, ever watchful for those who are in need.  We have also seen suffering in a variety of different ways, front line workers exhausted and those in hospitals and nursing […]

“My prayer for each of you, and for all of us, this Easter, is that we shall all be changed” – Bishop Doran Somebody asked me recently if I had prepared my Easter message yet. It strikes me that there is really only one Easter message and it will be familiar to most of you: […]

“We must safeguard people’s health AND support their spiritual wellbeing.” – Bishop Cullinan I must speak out to represent the voices of a very large cohort of people who are growing increasingly weary of being unable to attend Mass and whose spiritual and mental wellbeing is being eroded. Their patience is wearing thin. They are […]

“I have established a Task Force on a Church for the Dublin of Tomorrow, under the title Building Hope” “I will continue to emphasise to Government the importance of the earliest possible return to the public worship, and that the easing of restrictions must not be subordinated to powerful commercial interests” – Archbishop Farrell I extend a […]

In an interview with La Civilita Catolica, published on 23 October 2020, the newly appointed secretary of the synod of Bishops in Rome, Cardinal Mario Grech, made a very thought-provoking comment regarding lockdown, restrictions, and church life.  He said: “I find it curious that many people have complained about not being able to receive communion and celebrate […]

Archbishop Eamon Martin’s homily for Chrism Mass 2021 “These are challenging times for priests in Ireland and on my own behalf, and on behalf of the people of the diocese, I want to thank you for all you are doing to love, serve and minister to the people of God in your pastoral care” – […]