· Suggested questions for voters to consider putting to election candidates “Love is civic and political, and it makes itself felt in every action that seeks to build a better world” – from Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical letter Laudato Si’ (para 231). The Christian vocation to transform the world in the light of the Gospel […]

“The truth will set you free.” John 8:32 At the core of the trial of Jesus, Pontius Pilate asks a question, self-servingly and flippantly, “What is truth?” Pilate scoffs at Jesus’ idea of bearing witness to the truth. From Pilate’s position of power, truth is optional, inconsequential even; truth can be defined how one wants. […]

Saint Patrick’s, Armagh My dear families of the Disappeared, your experience and painful vigil has many lessons for the wider healing and reconciliation of our troubled past. Together we still gather each Palm Sunday, hoping against hope, that even at this late stage someone will come forward with fresh or more precise information to help the […]

“Sixty years later [after the signing of the Treaty of Rome] … we stand in urgent need of that same political ingenuity and restorative faith in humanity at local level here in Northern Ireland” – Bishop Treanor Extract from the homily As we re-open this Church we are mindful that this historic and island congregation, […]

Yesterday Pope Francis met with 27 European Union heads of state and government who gathered in Rome to mark and celebrate the 60th Anniversary of signing the Treaty of Rome. This Treaty was originally signed within the broader context of a continent emerging from war, experiencing political tension, polarisation, and social deprivation. The Treaty sought […]

• The inaugural conference of ‘The Iona Institute Northern Ireland’ · Contrary to the suggestions of some recently, the Catholic Church has no desire to create a theocracy in Ireland, north or south, but we would expect that in a true pluralist democracy or republic, religion and faith will continue to have an important part […]

Introduction At 2.00pm this afternoon Father Michael Canny will receive the remains of Martin McGuinness at the main entrance of Saint Columba’s Church, Long Tower.  Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry, will then welcome distinguished visitors, family, and the congregation. After the reception of the remains the concelebrating clergy will enter the sanctuary to begin […]

Saint Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Derry City Each of us, everyone here, has a story – a history – built on our experience of our own family, neighbours, school and adult life.  Every story is sacred, deserves respect and reverence. When a loved one dies we go over their story, as we have done with […]

At 10.00am tomorrow the Funeral Mass for the late Ryan McBride RIP will be celebrated in Saint Columba’s Church in the parish of Long Tower in Derry City.  Father Aidan Mullan Adm will be the chief celebrant and will preach the homily at the Mass.  Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry, will preside at the […]

At 2.00pm tomorrow the Funeral Mass for the late Martin McGuinness RIP will be celebrated in Saint Columba’s Church in the parish of Long Tower in Derry City.  Father Michael Canny will be the chief celebrant and will preach the homily at the Mass.  Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry, will preside at the Mass.  […]