Inside the Vatican's secret saint-making process – an Audio Long Read podcast
Canonisation has long been a way for the Catholic church to shape its own image. As the Vatican prepares to anoint its first millennial saint, we ask how it decides who is worthy
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Belfast Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Former Church of Ireland Primate's 50 years of service are honoured at St Columb's Cathedral
Among the congregation were his wife Lady Eames and members of his family including their sons Niall and Michael. They were joined by a number of bishops from the three dioceses where Lord Eames served, namely Derry and Raphoe, Down and Dromore and Armagh where he was archbishop and primate from 1986 to 2006. Parishioners from the Derry and Raphoe Diocese also attended yesterday, the Feast Day of St Columba, which is celebrated by both main religious traditions. In Ireland, Columba is also remembered as a patron saint of poets, and is associated with the Book of Kells. The sermon was preached by the current Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Reverend Andrew Foster, who earlier paid tribute to Lord Eames. He said: 'Lord Eames has been a blessing to our diocese, to the Church of Ireland as a whole, and to the wider society on this island during his decades in ministry. He has been a distinguished and courageous church leader who has made an immense contribution to peace-building and reconciliation. 'We in Derry and Raphoe give thanks for Lord Eames' stewardship of our diocese in a troubled period of its history in the late Seventies. 'We are thankful for his leadership of the Church of Ireland over two decades during which our society went from the darkness of the Troubles into the light of a new, admittedly fragile peace. Even in the darkest days, Lord Eames preached a message of hope, born out of his faith in God. He is someone who can always see the good in humanity.' During his five years as Bishop of Derry before he moved to Belfast, Lord Eames worked closely with the Catholic Bishop of Derry, Edward Daly, and the late SDLP leader John Hume. He also made a special point of visiting homes in the Bogside area. He said: 'I wanted to hold out the hand of friendship to the whole Catholic community in Derry.' During his long career, Lord Eames, who is now 88, travelled widely to help solve problems in the worldwide Anglican communion. News Catch Up - Tuesday 10th June 'It was my experience in Derry which taught me much about bridge-building and reconciliation and this benefitted me greatly in subsequent stages of my ministry, including my time as Bishop of Down and Dromore and also in Armagh,' he said. When he retired as primate, he became a cross-bencher peer in the House of Lords and continued to foster the interests of Northern Ireland, and to continue his widespread ministry through preaching. With Sir John Major, he paid tribute at a thanksgiving service in Westminster Abbey for Peter Brooke, a former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Last year, Lord Eames was injured in a fall, but is making a steady recovery. He said prior to the Derry service yesterday that 'it was one of the most touching invitations of my career which brought back memories of the vast changes in church life and politics in the last half century'.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Leader Live
Plans for remedial works at St. Winefride Church in Holywell
A planning application has been submitted to Flintshire Council regarding the St. Winefride's Roman Catholic Church in Holywell. The church holds national significance - with Holywell being recognised as one of the most historically important Catholic pilgrimage destinations in the country. The church's presbytery, with its 17th-century origins, is of particular historical importance, reflected in its Grade II listing. Its designation highlights the well-preserved historic buildings, which provide insight into the architectural style and liturgical functions of the church during its period. The church is named after St Winefride - a 7th-century Catholic martyr. The nearby St Winefride's Well, a holy well and shrine, has been welcoming Catholic pilgrims for 14 centuries and is one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. The proposal is for extensive remedial works at the church's western façade. A planning statement says: "The presbytery is in a state of significant disrepair. Extensive water damage has affected the structure, leading to chipping paint, broken windows, deteriorating render, and roof defects. "These issues have contributed to mould growth, rotting timber, poor internal air quality, and persistent dampness, among other concerns. Without intervention, ongoing deterioration is highly likely to result in structural failure or irreparable damage." It adds that if repair works aren't carried out, a "substantial amount of important historical architectural history could be lost". The statement continues: "The proposed works require a re-model of the western façade of St Winefride's Catholic Church Presbytery with the removal of the conservatory at its gable end. The state of repair of the gable end is contributing to an ingress of rainwater, which is damaging the structure of the building. "Page 4 of the report of by Vale Consultancy states that the current structural condition of the conservatory means that renovation would practically be close to impossible, without extensive replacement and underpinning to conform to modern Building Regulations. "Their assessment concluded 'Due to evidence of water ingress/ dampness, sloping ground floors, possible subsidence, and poor detail between the glass roof and the main wall, it is suggested that the Green House is demolished and rebuilt in modern construction'." (Image: Planning documents) The work would be completed in four phases - which would begin with the demolition of the conservatory. Phase two will also involve carrying out conservation works on windows considered to be the most important in the building, appearing to date from the second quarter of the 19th century and having "fine gothic detailing". (Image: Planning documents) Phase three would involve repairing all internal walls within the utility room and toilet area damaged by ingress of rainwater with lime plaster. MORE NEWS: Phase four includes repainting the presbytery gantry due to corrosion. (Image: Planning documents) The statement concludes: "The planned refurbishment and remedial works will improve the overall condition of the dwelling, prolong the life of the listed building, and enhance the surrounding area's appearance. "While the repairs may introduce minor changes to the building's heritage, the practical benefits far outweigh any impacts, leading to a significantly improved visual appeal. "In conclusion, the proposals are considered essential to the ongoing care of the presbytery, thoughtfully designed with respect for its existing materials and architectural aesthetic."
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Scotsman
Two Edinburgh schools set to be renamed in hopes of reducing confusion
Two Edinburgh schools are set to be renamed in hopes of reducing confusion and decreasing stigma towards pupils. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Officers have suggested new names for St Mary's RC Primary School (Leith) and Gorgie Mills School, with councillors set to make a decision next Tuesday. The Roman Catholic primary in Leith is set to become Star of the Sea RC Primary School, over ongoing issues with it being confused with St Mary's RC Primary School, which is located in Canonmills. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to a council report, both schools get post and deliveries for one another, as well as contractors turning up to perform works on the wrong school. Further, both schools are often incorrectly contacted by government agencies, and parents will occasionally enroll their children at the wrong school. St Mary's RC Primary School in Leith is set to be renamed to Star of the Sea RC Primary School | Google Maps It says: 'While these issues individually may not seem overly problematic, when they happen as often as they do, the result is a considerable waste of staff time and can often have a direct impact on learning and teaching time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It also dilutes the sense of identity and individuality of each school.' Both schools are attached to Catholic churches named St Mary's, with the Canonmills school attached to St Mary's cathedral and the Leith one linked to St Mary Star of the Sea parish church. Meanwhile, Gorgie Mills School is set to become Westfield Secondary School, after a consultation with pupils, parents and staff. Gorgie Mills School was formed in 2007 as a merger of three schools, and was launched to care for students with 'social, emotional and behavioural' needs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But it has changed towards becoming a school for additional support needs pupils more generally. The council report read: 'Young people feel strongly that the current name carries with it negativity and stigmatism which they would like to eradicate. 'The school community believe that changing the name of the school will support in the re-branding of the school and emphasise the significant changes that have taken place in recent years.' Votes were held among staff, pupils, parents and other groups at each school, with the majority of respondents at each approving of name changes. Councillors will make a decision on the school renaming at the next meeting of the Education, Children and Families Committee on Tuesday, 10 June, which you can view here.
