Head of Catholic church in Ireland remembers Pope's ‘closeness and friendship with Christ'
Armagh-based Archbishop Eamon Martin, who is the Primate of All Ireland, said the news of the Pope's death yesterday morning, at his apartment in the Vatican, filled his heart with 'both deep sadness and immense gratitude'.
'Pope Francis' papacy has been a profound gift to the Church and World. On behalf of the Irish Bishops' Conference, and the Catholic faithful on the island of Ireland, I extend sympathy to Pope Francis' family members, to those who have worked most closely with him, and to all those around the globe who loved him and will mourn his loss,' he said.
He added: 'There was something different about this pope who came to us twelve years ago from 'the ends of the world'.
'On that very first night when he stood on the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, our hearts were moved as he greeted the people with a simple 'Buonasera' and asked us to pray to the Lord to bless him.
'Now we pray to that same Lord to show him mercy and welcome him to his eternal reward.
'Pope Francis often expressed his personal unworthiness, insisting 'I am a sinner'.
'He would want us to pray now for his soul as he appears before God whom he himself presented to the world as a loving and merciful God, who understands all our weaknesses and frailties, yet loves each of us deeply.'
Reflecting on what he will remember most about Pope Francis, Archbishop Martin said: 'No doubt in the coming days and weeks many more memories of Pope Francis will emerge, but for me it was his closeness and friendship with Christ which stood out most of all – in his compassion for the suffering, and the way he placed the vulnerable at the centre of his ministry – the poor, refugees, victims of war, human trafficking, and all who are exploited, overlooked or excluded by Church or by society.
'He wanted to bring them in from the cold.'
Pope Francis outlined how he wishes to be buried in his last testament, which was published by the Vatican last night.
A medical report also published by the Vatican, confirmed his cause of death as 'stroke, coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse".
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Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
That 'harmless' thing you do could be ruining your marriage
Ireland has one of the lowest divorce rates in Europe and in fact, the world, with just 0.6 divorces per 1,000 people in the country, but even though divorce was legalised in Ireland in 1996, the cultural and religious legacy of the Catholic church seems to continue to shape our attitudes when it comes to marriage. How many people, when served with divorce papers, say they ' never saw it coming ' – well, read on if you want to avoid those papers, and keep the other half happy. An interesting survey caught my eye, and its source is a relationship and lifestyle website called ' A Conscious Rethink' . They say that husbands are doing a number of things that are putting their marriages at risk. I have subbed that list down to five and while the following might seem harmless, divorced couples might say otherwise. Pic: Getty Images And before we get to the list, yes, wives have a part to play too, but today it's all about the husbands. I CAN'T FIND IT ! Expecting their wives to keep track of all their things, appointments, keys, shoes, phone, these are all things a grown-ass man should be able to do himself. Believe me, your wife does not need a fully grown absent minded man-child; she has enough stuff to remember in her own life. A relative of mine, whenever her husband moaned that he couldn't find something, would say ' Call it ' – She knew that if she indulged his laziness and went to help him, she would put her hand on said item in a nano-second. Pic: Getty Images Take responsibility for your own stuff, know your own appointment dates, keep track of where you threw your keys, phone, wallet, quite simply, get your sh*t together. NOW, ISN'T IT MUCH BETTER LIKE THAT ! Pic: Shutterstock Rearranging things to ' be helpful' around the house. Ah yes, that old chestnut. 'A CONSCIOUS RETHINK had a cautionary tale as an example. 'A friend of mine once came back from a three-day business trip to discover that her (now ex) husband had rearranged everything in the kitchen as a ' helpful surprise ' for her. She's an avid cook, whereas he could barely throw a sandwich together, but he had decided to prepare a simple recipe while she was away. He had never cooked anything in that kitchen before and couldn't find the things he was looking for, so he decided to rearrange all the utensils, cookware, and ingredients so they would be more ' efficient' , according to his own logic. When she saw what he had done, she broke down crying and went to her mother's place for a couple of days. Her then-husband had no idea what he had done wrong, in his mind, he had made everything 'better' and couldn't understand why she was so devastated. After all, he had even gone ahead and thrown out ingredients that he thought 'smelled weird' or might have gone bad. While this wasn't the catalyst that ended their marriage, repeated behaviours like this over the years certainly contributed to its downfall. Pic: Getty Images ' WEAPONISED INCOMPETENCE ' Many husbands joke about how they can never remember dates or anniversaries, birthdays or other important days, and just ' leave all of that to the wife ' – they never think of the extra work this entails when your partner has to keep track of every single birthday for every member of both families, sending cards, buying presents or organising parties. The problem is this behaviour has become so normalised, that men don't even see a problem with it, and using that phrase ' You're so much better at this stuff than me ' is just a way to justify this lazy carry on, and gets him out of having to worry about even his own parents important anniversaries or birthdays. Lads, its called Weaponised Incompetence ' – using perceived inability to do something as a weapon while giving a backwards compliment in saying, ' But you're better at this stuff '. Pic: Getty Images ' MAKING A MOVE AT THE WRONG TIME ' Many movies and TV Shows, most likely created and/or produced by men, have given guys the wrong impression of when its ok to approach their partners in a 'smoochy' type of fashion, looking for a 'bitta lovin'. How many times have you seen a movie where men sidle up behind their spouses, while said partner is up to her elbows in suds washing dishes, or sorting dirty washing, but drops everything in grateful fashion for a 'passionate romp'. Lads, get real for goodness sake, try this in real life and see how you get on. Most women don't find this 'cute or endearing' but more than likely annoying. Naturally we women appreciate when husbands make us feel wanted and loved, and affection is very much appreciated and enjoyed, but there's a time and place, and its usually not when she's in the middle of housework that has probably been piling up while she was doing her 'day job' and for God's sake lads, if she's not feeling it in that moment, its NOT a big issue, and she is NOT the problem. Pic: Getty Images ' SPENDING MONEY ON STUFF HE WANTS ' – (Without mentioning it) It's perfectly normal and reasonable to be able to spend our hard-earned money on stuff that makes us happy, but what is NOT ok, is when people in a committed relationship, with perhaps a joint bank account, spend willy-nilly on stuff they want, without checking that all bills and household expenses are covered first. How embarrassing it would be to have a debit or credit card declined at the supermarket, or getting a notification that the electricity is being cut off because your husband has depleted the joint account to buy himself new golf equipment, car stuff, gaming stuff, whatever floats his boat, without having a chat about it first, just to make sure the budget allows for it. Once is annoying, but can perhaps be forgiven, but multiple times is 'danger zone' for a marriage, because nobody wants to be in a precarious financial position, especially in today's world where the cost of almost everything has risen exponentially and a high percentage of people are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Pic: Getty Images Lets face it, marriage isn't easy, especially a long lasting relationship that has seen its fair share of trials and tribulations, but this list of seemingly simple things is a concern, because rather than it being huge issues that tear couples apart, it seems to be more like the 'death of a thousand cuts' – a whole lot of tiny seemingly insignificant factors that can ruin what was once a happy union. The website 'A Conscious Rethink' mentions constant communication, negotiation, and checking in with one another to make sure that both partners are on the same page. The things listed here are very easy to change with minimal effort, and can be kept in check with a bit of self-awareness and conscious decision-making. And lads, one final point, if you are told that you do these things by your significant other, please believe it, and stop finding excuses to justify these and other behaviours. And remember, Happy Wife = Happy Life
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Clonard to Kilmore
Clonard lotto Results for Wednesday, July 9. This week's winning numbers: 01 – 05 – 12 – 13. No jackpot winner. Eight match-three winners receive €94 each: Ann and Harry Kirwan; Tony Cleary; Catherine Flood; Ann Thompson; Mag O'Toole; Mary Hayes; Rachel Cleary, and Laura Stafford. Jackpot for Wednesday, July 16, €11,500. Lotto draw takes place every Wednesday night at 8.30 p.m. Tickets are €2 each. Play online at with your local promoter or in the parish office. If you wish to become a promoter, please call to the parish office to have it arranged. Results are also available on from Thursday each week. Clonard Bethany Bereavement Support Drop-in service. Second Friday of every month in the Shamrock Room of Clonard Community Centre. Next Drop-In Service takes place on Friday, August 8, from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Have you experienced loss? Feel free to drop in for a cuppa and a chat. This service is supported by trained volunteers. Contact person Our Clonard Parish Representative and contact person in respect of the Ferns Diocesan Child Safeguarding Policy is Tom Aherne Tel: 087 6626915. Church Notes Please Be Advised. That all of our Liturgies are streamed live on the Parish Facebook page, church of the Annunciation – Clonard Parish. Bingo Night In Clonard Community Centre every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). The Acorn Shop At Clonard parish office. Opening Hours Monday to Friday 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cards – Gifts – Mass cards – Sympathy Cards – Statues – Candles – Baptismal Candles – Prayer Books. Contact Clonard Parish Urgently. Telephone 087 1708705/087 3880355. Please call these number/s if you have an emergency and require a priest urgently. V Rev Barry Larkin and Right Rev Monsignor Denis Lennon Co-PP's. Eucharistic Adoration In Clonard Day Chapel on the first Sunday of every month from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please join us to pray for the unborn, disabled and elderly. Adoration Adoration takes place every Monday (including Bank Holidays) after morning Mass. Also, on the First Friday after Mass till midday. New Adorers always welcome, please leave your details in the parish office. Clonard Parish Radio All Church services are accessible on 92.9FM and on the Parish Facebook page – Church of the Annunciation Clonard Parish. Please inform people who are sick or housebound so that they can join us over the airwaves or online. Masses: Saturday Vigil Mass 6 p.m. Sunday: 9.30 a.m., and 11.30 a.m. Weekdays: 10 a.m. Banh Holiday Mondays: 11 a.m. Holy Days: Eve of Holy Day 7 p.m. Vigil. Holy Day 10 a.m. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 2025 Ferns Pilgrimage To Fatima Led by Spiritual Directors, Fr Denis Browne; Fr Paddy Banville and Fr Frank Murphy October 9 for seven nights. €899 per person sharing. Direct return flights from Dublin to Lisbon. 20kg bags included. Return airport transfers to Fatima (Optional Wexford – Dublin Airport transfer). Seven nights Hotel Avenida, full Board: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Full religious programme. Guided tour of Sanctuary and Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Visits to Aljustrel, Valinhos and Santarem: (Site of Eucharistic Miracle). Optional: Travel Insurance €45 under 79 years/€65 80 to 94 years. Single supplement €245; Optional Wexford – Dublin Airport Transfer (Cost TBC). For information, please contact Fr Denis Browne 086 8926260 frdenisbrowne@ For bookings, please contact Joe Walsh Tours 01 2410800. One Day Retreat Lough Derg. September 13, 2025. Weekend trip to Donegal for the One Day Retreat on Lough Derg leaving Wexford on Friday, September 12, returning to Wexford on Sunday, September 14, Two nights dinner, bed and Breakfast in the Imperial Hotel, Ballyshannon, coach travel and the day on Lough Derg €260. Contact Helen Kirwan at 087 6817648 for booking and details. Bingo Fundraiser In Aid Of Friary Roof Fund. On Friday, July 18, in St Joseph's Hall, Bishopswater at 8 p.m. Double – €15, Single €10, Baby €5. Prize money from €50 – €200. SVP summer collection Clonard conference of SVP will hold their summer collection at all Masses on the weekend of July 19/20. Any support you can give us would be much appreciated to help needy families in the parish during these challenging times. Should you miss the collection, donations can be left into the parish office. Thank you for your ongoing support. Pilgrimage Annual Pioneer Pilgrimage To Knock Shrine. The annual Pioneer pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday, July 20. Prayers will be offered at Our Lady's Shrine for all who work in alcohol and drug treatment centres around Ireland. Contact Fr Robert McCabe via prayer@ for further details. Crossabeg GAA LOTTO Crossabeg-Ballymurn GAA lotto numbers for Wednesday, July 9, The numbers drawn were 1, 2, 12 and 27. There was no jackpot or match-three winners. There were two lucky-dip winners who each received €25, Niamh O'Gorman and James Jackman. The next draw will take place today, Wednesday, July 16, and the jackpot stands at €12,000. REGATTA Following on from successful Regattas at St Kearns and Edermine, attention now turns to our local Regatta at Ferrycarrig which takes place on Sunday next, July 20, and then it's the turn for the Killurin Regatta which takes place on Sunday, July 27. BLOOD DONATION CLINIC The Blood Donation Clinic will be in attendance at the Talbot hotel, Wexford, today, Wednesday, July 16, and again on Thursday, July 17, from 3.45 p.m. to 8 p.m each day. You can check your eligibility and book your appointment at or call 1800 222 111. CONDOLENCES We extend our deepest sympathy to Gary Quinn, Newcastle, Crossabeg, and the extended Quinn family on the death of his father, Arthur Quinn, Donishall House, Carnew, Wicklow/Gorey, Wexford, who died on Monday, July 7, and whose Funeral Mass took place in Askamore Church on Thursday, July 10, with burial afterwards in Tomacork cemetery. Our deepest sympathy is also extended to the family of the late Michael Whelan, senior, Crory Upper, Crossabeg, who died on Sunday, July 6, A genial and gentle character, who would always love to stop for a chat and regale you with stories and yarns, he was a good neighbour and family man, who will be missed so much by his family and friends. Pre-deceased by his wife Peg, and brothers and sisters Nick, Johnny, Joe, Maggie, Anna and Molly, he is survived by his sons and daughters, Michael, Brendan, Des, Caroline and Trish, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, daughters-in-law Bridget and Olive, son-in-law Paddy, sisters and brothers-in-law, nephews and nieces, extended family, friends and neighbours. His remains reposed at Mackens Funeral Home on Thursday, July 10, with removal to Crossabeg Church on Friday morning last for Requiem Mass at midday and burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. May his gentle soul rest in peace. SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER St Killian's AC held a very successful fundraising table quiz in Foley's pub, Crossabeg, on Friday night last. All proceeds will go towards work on the Throws area at the track at the community field. At the moment work is being carried out around the area in preparation for drainage work to follow. The quiz raised €1,425 and this is due to the generosity of sponsors, parents and supporters alike. M.C for the enjoyable event was Marie Kavanagh. The organisers would like to thank Alex and Fiona Wilson and Ken Foley for the use of the pub for the event, to each and everyone who supported the event, to those who sponsored the various Rounds, made donations, supplied raffle prizes and spot prizes. Thanks to BricksX Club, Wexford; Blackstairs Driving school; A & A Roofing; Anthony Doran Electrical; Edwards Coaches; Foot Clinic Wexford and Toenail Reconstruction; Name It Wexford; Barkers Wexford; Paco Wexford; Rag Tree Equine Assisted Learning; Fehilys Chemist Wexford; Talbot hotel; Kehoe Fruit and Veg. ITEMS FOR COLUMN News items are most welcome. Email to tworedcow@ or text/call 086 1980775. Items need to be forwarded by Sunday night of each week or by Thursday night in the event of a bank holiday weekend. Kilmore Community lotto The numbers drawn in this week's lotto were 1, 19, 25 and 26. There was one match-three winner receiving €200. There was no jackpot winner. Next week's jackpot stands at €9400. Lifeboat Day Kilmore Quay 2025 Our annual open day and fundraiser will take place on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 3. Lots of family fun with games, entertainment, stalls, and refreshments at the marina and Lifeboat house. If you would like to have a stall in the marina area on the day, please contact Johnny at 087 7533611. Donations for the bottle stall in advance of Lifeboat Day accepted at the Lifeboat house between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thank you for your continued support, it is very much appreciated. We look forward to seeing you on Lifeboat Day. Thanks Many thanks to all who attended the Marie Goodwin open garden event near Mayglass on Sunday, June 29, in aid of UNICEF GAZA. in aid of UNICEF GAZA, A total of €3953.55 was raised, we had a great crowd and a lovely afternoon. Deaths Sincere sympathy to Robin Matthews Ballyhealy on the passing of her mother and to Tommy Byrne Tullabards on the passing of his brother Ned recently. May they rest in peace. Baby Girl Congratulations to Elise and Robert Cousins, Ballask on the recent addition to the family. Tomhaggard Novena 2025 The annual novena to Saint Anne will take place in Tomhaggard starting on July 18 till Friday, July 26, with Mass each evening at 7.30 PM in the Grotto with weather permitting. The Patron Mass will be held on Sunday day the 2oth at 2pm followed by our field day in Tomhaggard Social Centre. There will be no Mass on that Sunday evening. We are appealing to you all for donations for the bottle stall, the produce stall, the wheel of fortune and brick and brack. You can leave them in the sacristy before Mass or leave them at the parish office during the week during opening hours. All donations also greatly appreciated. Full details on website. Outdoor Heated Defibrillator Cabinet Cllr Frankl Staples provided funding for a new Outdoor Heated Defibrillator Cabinet for Tomhaggard Social Centre. The Original Defibrillator Unit was purchased and installed in March 2019, from community fundraising and Wexford County Council Enhancement Grant. It is a very important asset in the village and is checked regularly by Kilmore Community Responders. Many thanks. Annual Society of Saint Vincent de Paul summer collection The annual society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) summer church gate collection takes place after Masses next weekend (July 19 and 20). Since this collection is a crucial part of their fundraising efforts to support individuals and families in need within the local community, your usual generous support would again be greatly appreciated.
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Major excavation of unmarked grave of babies and young children under way
The excavation of the site of St Mary's mother and baby home in Tuam, Co Galway, will try to identify the remains of infants who died at the home between 1925 and 1961. Archaeologists and other specialists have started working at the site as part of its attempt to exhume and identify human remains. In 2014, research led by local historian Catherine Corless indicated that 796 babies and young children were buried in a sewage system at the Co Galway institution across that time period. St Mary's home for unmarried mothers and their children was run by the Bon Secours Sisters, a religious order of Catholic nuns. In 2021, Taoiseach Micheal Martin apologised on behalf of the state for the treatment of women and children who were housed in mother and baby homes across Ireland. The Bon Secours Sisters also offered a 'profound apology' after acknowledging the order had 'failed to protect the inherent dignity' of women and children in the Tuam home. The Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam (ODAIT), which is undertaking the work, confirmed that ground was broken at 10.38am on Monday. The process, which started on Monday, is expected to last two years. The work at the burial site will involve exhumation, analysis, identification if possible and re-interment of the remains at the site. The site, surrounded by a 2.4 metre-high hoarding, is security monitored on a 24-hour basis to ensure the forensic integrity of the site during the excavation. Daniel MacSweeney, who leads the ODAIT, said: 'These measures are necessary to ensure the site's forensic integrity and to enable us to carry out the works to the highest international standards that govern the excavation and recovery programme.' A visit for families and survivors to view the site ahead of the commencement of the full excavation took place last Tuesday. Dr Niamh McCullagh, ODAIT's senior forensic consultant, is leading the forensic excavation alongside other Irish specialists and international experts from Colombia, Spain, UK, Canada, Australia and the US. ODAIT's multidisciplinary forensic approach to the complex challenge of the excavation is grounded in the expertise of forensic archaeologists, osteoarchaeologists, forensic anthropologists together with experts in crime scene management including evidence management and forensic photography. Anna Corrigan, who discovered that she had two older brothers who were born while her mother was a resident at the Tuam home, said Monday was a welcome but difficult day. Ms Corrigan has instructed KRW Law to launch High Court civil proceedings against a number of agencies and institutions including the Order of The Sisters of Bon Secours over the circumstances surrounding the death and disappearance of her brothers. 'Whilst it's a relief to see work started on the site it's really only the latest stage in what is still a long road for all of us,' she said. 'I accept there are technical issues arising from the exhumation which may impact on decision-making by the attorney general, the coroner in Galway and the gardai and others, but the least we can expect now is expressions of support plus a commitment to reviewing all previous decision-making. 'I won't rest until I see justice for my two brothers who not only need a proper Christian burial but also the full rigours of the law both domestic and international applied. 'What happened at Tuam was criminal, so there needs to be both church and state accountability. The Government can't just do a Pontius Pilate and wash their hands of this and blame the nuns and the Catholic Church. 'They have a complicity in all of this as well. Any solutions which exclude the state won't be tolerated by me or anyone else. 'We've fought far too hard to get to here and we certainly don't want to see this important excavation work carried out in vain. 'There are so many people I want to thank, including Jim McVeigh from Belfast and our lawyers, including KRW Law led by Chris Stanley, together with Carl Buckley of Guernica Chambers, whose guidance and direction has helped to chart a path through many of the legal complexities. 'We have much more work to be done before we can feel anywhere near satisfied.' Speaking on the opening day of excavations, Irish human rights lawyer Kevin Winters said: 'Annie (Anna) Corrigan, like so many others, has waited a long time for this moment. It's intensely emotional for her but also frustrating given the gnawing sense of unfinished business. 'She welcomes the excavation work, which is likely to take anything up to two years to complete, and sees today as an opportunity to again call upon the Irish Government to engage on unresolved legal issues connected to the recovery process. 'Over 18 months ago we wrote to gardai, including local gardai, at Tuam urging them to treat the scandal as a criminal investigation. 'Despite repeated requests from both Annie and ourselves they failed to assign gardai Pulse investigation numbers until last month when she received confirmation they would issue. 'We have written to gardai in Galway urging the immediate release of the numbers. The industrial volumes of buried infants and the manner in which they met their fate clearly points to criminality. 'It will be momentous to see the assignment of Pulse record numbers as that crystallises formal criminal investigation status upon this historical human rights debacle. 'Equally important is the requirement that the coroner in Galway upscales intervention after opening up the case as far back as 2017. 'There needs to be an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Annie's siblings and all the other unexplained deaths. 'We are also instructed by Annie to launch High Court civil proceedings against a number of agencies and institutions including the Order of The Sisters of Bon Secours over the circumstances surrounding the death and disappearance of Annie's brothers. 'There was a suffocating toxicity about the historic Irish state-Catholic Church relationship which helped foment the horrors of Tuam. 'However this almost mediaeval barbarity occurred within living memory. 'Tuam is in danger of becoming a byword for cruelty unless both state agencies and the church respond promptly and transparently to the latest legal agitation touching upon criminal investigation; inquests and compensation.'
