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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘Am I the only person who hates them?' – Opinions divided amid calls for NEW summer bank holiday as date revealed
IRISH people have been left seriously divided over calls for the introduction of another bank holiday in the summer. Ireland, which has 10 bank holiday each year, has less on average than the EU, which boasts an average of just over 12 days each year. Advertisement 3 The new bank holiday would honour St Columcille, third patron saint of Ireland 3 St Columcille founded an abbey in Donegal Credit: Irish View Now, The new He was the patron saint of poets and bookbinders and was believed to hold back floods. In 2023, a bank holiday was added in February to celebrate St Brigid, the second saint of Ireland. Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS And a long weekend has been in place for years on March 17 to celebrate the country's national saint, Donegal County In 2025, there are bank holidays in January, February, March, April, May, June, August, October, and on December 25 and 26. Donegal councillor Jimy Kavanagh proposed the move. Advertisement MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Live Blog He said: "It's an ideal time for Victoria Smurfit leads Dublin's St Patrick's Day parade But the public reaction online has already seen people split over the idea. Claire Clarkson, who goes by @ She claimed that she would say "yes please" to another two bank holidays, which would allow us to catch up with the average EU amount. Advertisement Claire said: "So there's talk about increasing the number of bank holidays we have eahc year becayse the EU average of bank holidays is twelve days per year. "However, we just have ten per year, we are way behind." She questioned: "Do you think we get enough time off as it is and we should just be working even harder?" Some people were in favour of the move. Advertisement One person said: "July and September would be perfect." Another commented: "Yes absolutely, I think having an extra day off once a month would be beneficial for people's overall wellbeing. "What would be nice also is if some of those days were to actually celebrate something that could entice communities to come together." 'COSTING A FORTUNE' And a third added: "Yeees, should be a bank holiday weekend, each month." Advertisement But others denounced the idea, saying it would put more pressure on businesses and employers. One person said: "Am I the only one who hates bank holidays?" A second put in: "How can the small & medium businesses afford their employees two extra bank holidays? "We the consumer will ultimately pay thus increasing the cost of living crisis." Advertisement And a fourth penned: "It's costing small business a fortune on bank holiday weekend s and nothing extra gained." 3 The new bank holiday would be in July Credit: Irish View
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Death of Pope Francis: Mourners to pay respects as late Pope's body lies in repose ahead of funeral on Saturday
Key updates Ellen Coyne: St Brigid was ditched by a Pope – how will next pontiff honour roles of women in the church? The Irish Independent's View: Pope Francis's greatest legacy may well turn out to be his successor Viewership of Oscar-winning Conclave soars after Pope's death Pope's body to lie in repose in St Peter's Basilica Vatican release photographs of Pope Francis lying in repose Who will succeed Pope Francis? Here are eight possible candidates on the conclave's radar Watch: How the papal conclave elects a new pope The Indo Daily podcast: Pope Francis' death - his trip to Ireland, legacy and what happens next? 2 minutes ago Ellen Coyne: St Brigid was ditched by a Pope – how will next pontiff honour roles of women in the church? In 1969, St Brigid was one of dozens of saints ditched from the Roman Catholic calendar by Pope Paul VI. Despite the fact that there was as much as, if not more biographical information about Brigid than there was about Colmcille and Patrick, the Vatican had decided there was insufficient evidence to prove the important Irish saint had ever existed, writes Ellen Coyne. Ellen Coyne: St Brigid was ditched by a Pope – how will next pontiff honour roles of women in the church? In 1969, St Brigid was one of dozens of saints ditched from the Roman Catholic calendar by Pope Paul VI. Despite the fact that there was as much as, if not more biographical information about Brigid than there was about Colmcille and Patrick, the Vatican had decided there was insufficient evidence to prove the important Irish saint had ever existed. 4 minutes ago The Irish Independent's View: Pope Francis's greatest legacy may well turn out to be his successor The Irish Independent's View: Pope Francis's greatest legacy may well turn out to be his successor There was an overflowing of warm tributes from global government leaders right across the political spectrum. We have also witnessed profound grieving by ordinary people in Rome. Both speak eloquently of Pope Francis's legacy to humankind. 13 minutes ago Viewership of Oscar-winning Conclave soars after Pope's death The number of people watching last year's Oscar-winning film Conclave skyrocketed following the death of Pope Francis. The film, which won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, follows the sequestering of cardinals, ministers and other religious figures at the Vatican as they elect their new leader after the death of a fictional pope. According to Luminate, which tracks viewership of streaming content, the number of people watching the film spiked 283% on Monday, Variety reported. On Sunday, the film was watched for 1.8 million minutes. The day news of the Pope's death broke, the film was watched for 6.9 million minutes. The film unpacks the political machinations that occur behind the scenes as the religious leaders battle their faith, conscience, and their duty to the Church and the legacy of their most recent leader. It documents the process as the electors proceed to the Sistine Chapel for the official conclave and take an oath of absolute secrecy before sealing the doors. Only those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave. The number of cardinal electors – those who partake in the secret vote – is limited to 120. Starring alongside Ralph Fiennes in the film are Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. Based on the book by Robert Harris, the film gained acclaim and received eight Oscar nominations – with screenwriter Peter Straughan taking home a prize. In November, film critic Hilary White gave conclave five stars, and described it as "Tightly wound but making room for arch notes". As of today, April 22, the film has joined the Prime catalogue. For those already subscribed to Prime Video, the movie will come at no additional cost and will be included as part of their membership. Viewers who want to watch the film for free will be able to secure a free 30-day trial and enjoy it that way. UK Independent Conclave review: Ralph Fiennes shines bright as an Oscar trophy in taut papal conspiracy thriller There's nothing normal about this place. Rigid mores and etiquette persist from centuries ago. Elderly men genuflect to kiss the ringed hand of a patriarch, while women are kept in the background. So much extraordinary wealth and influence underpins every action, as does a heightened righteous zeal. 19 minutes ago Pope's body to lie in repose in St Peter's Basilica The body of Pope Francis will be moved to St. Peter's Basilica early on Wednesday to lie in state for the Catholic faithful to pay their respects to the Argentine pontiff remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace. Heads of state are expected for the funeral Saturday in St. Peter's Square, but the three days of public viewing are largely for ordinary Catholics to grieve the 88-year-old pope, who died Monday after suffering a stroke. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Michael D Higgins will represent Ireland. Francis first lay in state in the Santa Marta Domus in a private viewing for Vatican residents and the papal household. Images released by the Vatican on Tuesday showed Francis lying in an open casket, wearing the traditional pointed headdress of bishops and red robes, his hands folded over a rosary. The Vatican's No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was pictured praying by Francis. His body will be transferred Wednesday morning to St. Peter's Basilica, which will be kept open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday to allow the faithful to mourn. The public mourning period will end on Friday at 7 p.m. Once inside the basilica, his casket won't be put on an elevated bier — as was the case with past popes — but will just be placed on the main altar of the 16th-century basilica, simply facing the pews. Italian police have tightened security for the viewing and the funeral, carrying out foot and horse patrols around the Vatican, where pilgrims continued to arrive for the Holy Year celebrations that Francis opened in December. The faithful who walk through St. Peter's Holy Door are granted indulgences, a way to help atone for sins. 'For me, Pope Francis represents a great pastor, as well as a great friend to all of us,'' said Micale Sales, visiting St. Peter's Basilica from Brazil. 'I think he spread a positive message around the world, saying there shouldn't be any violence, there should be peace around the world,'' said Amit Kukreja, from Australia. The funeral has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, and will be attended by leaders including U.S. president Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky. Cardinals are continuing their meetings this week to plan the conclave to elect Francis' successor, make other decisions about running the Catholic Church as world leaders and the ordinary faithful grieve the pontiff's death. History's first Latin American pontiff charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated many conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change. He last appeared in public on Sunday with an Easter blessing and popemobile tour through a cheering crowd in St. Peter's Square. He had some reservations about looping through the square packed with 50,000 faithful, Vatican News reported on Tuesday, but overcame them — and was thankful that he had greeted the crowd. He died the next morning. 'The death of a pope is not a small thing, because we've lost our leader,'' said Julio Henrique from Brazil. 'But still, in a few days, we will have a new leader. So … the thing of hope remains. Who will assume Peter's throne?' AP Yesterday 06:12 PM That's the end of our live blog coverage for today, tune back in tomorrow for further updates. Yesterday 05:22 PM Yesterday 03:12 PM Yesterday 02:09 PM Yesterday 01:02 PM From 'riling conservative cardinals' to 'never returning home' – How the world's media reported the death of Pope Francis Yesterday morning the world woke up to the news that the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, had passed away, aged 88. The tragic news, which broke at 9am, led to media outlets ripping up the day's news agenda and programming, as the story led headlines and the airwaves. This morning, the Argentine pontiff's face dominated front pages worldwide. From his humble beginnings to rubbing right-wing figures the wrong way, here is how the rest of the world covered the death of Pope Francis. Cian O'Broin From 'riling conservative cardinals' to 'never returning home' – How the world's media reported the death of Pope Francis Yesterday morning the world woke up to the news that the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, had passed away, aged 88. Yesterday 12:45 PM Pope Francis had 'unfinished business', says Michael D Higgins The President of Ireland said Pope Francis had 'unfinished business' and that he hopes the next pope will build on the steps he was able to take during his tenure. Michael D Higgins will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend, along with his wife, Sabina. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris will also attend. The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday. He died on Easter Monday aged 88. On Tuesday, Mr Higgins and his wife signed the book of condolences for Francis in the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin. Speaking afterwards, he said that, on behalf of the people of Ireland, he thanked Pope Francis for work and his example on 'embracing the most important issues'. 'Issues that are at the future of our humanity together in relation to climate change, in relation to global poverty, in relation to his particular interest in the welfare of migrants,' Mr Higgins said. 'I thought of the times we have met and the discussions we had, his ability to embrace the suffering, particularly those who are marginalised. 'I noted in the way his vision was wider than many people in politics and public life. 'For example, his ending the Doctrine of Discovery was welcomed by all the indigenous people in the world, in different parts of the world, as pushing an end to that appalling time when doctrinal support was given to colonialism. 'Francis struck that out, I think, on the 30th of March 2023 and it got very little, of course, publicity in the wider secular world, but it was welcomed by all of the people who were working for defending their homelands, and the people, for example, in the Amazon and people who are affected by climate change, who had made the least contribution to the realities of what we were suffering under, but who were paying the highest price.' Mr Higgins described Francis's visit to Ireland in August 2018 as a 'very warm visit'. 'We were all very, very pleased. I think I met him five times, and I value and appreciate all of those conversations,' he added. 'But I know as I was signing on behalf of all of the people, there are people outside of the Catholic Church – really his stress was always on our shared humanity.' He added: 'I'm sure he would want us to push our emphasis on peace and sustainability and, above all else, rights. 'What was very interesting about him, when I look back at other popes as well, was the ease with which he had, it's part of the changes in his own life that he did discuss too, of being able to embrace people most agonised in the world, it was a great capacity. 'We were very fortunate in having such a wonderful pope.' He continued: 'I think it's very appropriate as president of Ireland that I would communicate the appreciation of all of the people of Ireland for the generosity of his life, given right until the very last moments of his life. 'For that reason, I will miss very, very much the statements, all of those documents, which were documents of inclusion. I did say, as well, there was unfinished business that I hope that those who follow him will build on the steps he was able to take. 'I remember, as we finished in some of the conversations, he would say that before asking for prayer and offer, he would say, it's very difficult.' Cate McCurry, PA Yesterday 12:28 PM President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina sign book of condolence for Pope Francis at Papal Nuncio Yesterday 12:17 PM Solemn Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis to be celebrated in Dublin A Solemn Mass will be celebrated at Saint Mary's Pro Cathedral on Malborough Street, Dublin, for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, this Friday, April 25, at 10.30am. The principal celebrant for this Mass will be the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Titular Archbishop of Illici, and the homilist will be Bishop Paul Dempsey, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin. A book of condolence is open at the Apostolic Nunciature at 183 Navan Road, Dublin D07 CT98, where it can be signed from today, on Wednesday and on Thursday of this week from 10am to 12.30pm and 3pm to 5pm. Yesterday 11:45 AM Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Apostolic Administrator of Killala, said the announcement of the death of Pope Francis is "truly sad news for the Church and the world". In a statement, he said: "For those in the Church, not only has a spiritual leader died, but a father, Papa Francesco, has died. "And for people of good will everywhere, a courageous, loving, welcoming, and challenging public figure has died. "The outpouring of affection and grief at the death of Pope Francis is quite understandable and not at all unexpected. As one parishioner said 'the parish priest of the world has died'. "He is the Pope who gave us the Year of Mercy in 2016 with an emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation. His celebrated letter Laudato si' – on caring for our common home, is a document filled with hope. He gave us this Jubilee Year of hope. "Above all, it is Pope Francis' love for God's people, especially those in poverty and on the margins, and those who experience rejection because of personal circumstances, that will long live in the memories of all who observed him. "He brought the Church of the 21st century on to a synodal pathway, one in which the voice of everyone, without exception, is to be heard. "On a more local level, Pope Francis visited Knock Shrine in the summer of 2018 while he was in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families. "The news of Pope Francis' death draws from us feelings of gratitude and appreciation, for this son of Italian immigrants to Argentina, who became Pope, The Rock – 'You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.' Yesterday 11:16 AM Britain's Prince William and Prime Minister to attend Pope Francis's funeral Britain's Prince of Wales and Prime Minister will be among world leaders and dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend. The late pontiff will be buried on Saturday, following his death on Easter Monday aged 88. His body will be laid out for public view from Wednesday in St Peter's Basilica, so mourners can pay their respects to a man dubbed the People's Pope. Heir to the British throne William, a future head of the Church of England, will attend on behalf of King Charles, Kensington Palace said. Keir Starmer will also join other leaders including US President Donald Trump, who had already said on social media that he and his wife Melania plan to attend the funeral. Mr Starmer said the 'outpouring of grief' following Francis's death reflects the 'high esteem' in which the Pope was held 'not just by millions and millions of Catholics, but by many others across the world, myself included'. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he said the Pope was 'a quite remarkable man, and the work and commitment that he put into fairness over so many years, and globally, I think will be a real lasting legacy'. His official spokesman said it's 'right, like other world leaders are, that he (Mr Starmer) pays tribute to his life and attends his funeral'. Downing Street would not be drawn on whether Mr Starmer would have talks with counterparts while attending the funeral. Details of the Pope's funeral mass, due to take place at 10am local time (9am BST) in St Peter's Square and celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, were confirmed on Tuesday. The news came as the first images of the late pontiff were published. Francis's body was pictured lying in a private chapel in a wooden coffin dressed in red, with rosary beads draped across his hands. His death, following a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, prompted an outpouring of tributes across the globe. Britain's King Charles, who met Francis earlier this month, said he was someone who had 'profoundly touched the lives of so many', while Mr Starmer described him as having been 'a pope for the poor, the downtrodden and the forgotten'. Aine Fox, David Hughes and Caitlin Doherty, PA Yesterday 11:05 AM President Higgins and Taoiseach to attend Pope's funeral in Rome Ireland will be represented at the funeral of Pope Francis by President Michael D Higgins and Mrs Sabina Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Tánaiste Simon Harris TD. Senan Molony Yesterday 10:42 AM Tears and memories as fervently Catholic East Timor mourns Pope Francis Pope's 2024 visit resonates strongly in East Timor 97pc of Timorese are Catholic Francis hailed 'great leader of Catholic Church' Visit by Francis was first by a pontiff in 35 years More than 1,500 people packed into a cathedral in East Timor on Tuesday and an overspill of hundreds swarmed outside as one of the world's most devoutly Roman Catholic nations mourned the passing of Pope Francis. Francis, who died on Monday, received a rock-star reception in the half-island nation last September, when nearly half of the country's population turned out for what was the first visit by a pontiff in three decades. The former Portuguese colony of 1.3 million people, of whom 97pc are Catholic, have begun seven days of mourning, with flags at half-mast to demonstrate what its government said was a deep sense of gratitude to a "great leader of the Catholic Church". At the cathedral in the capital Dili, solemn prayers were held at a Mass for Francis, whilechurch staff scrambled to find enough communion wafers for all the mourners. "Pope Francis deserves our grief because he gave us joy when he visited us last year," said Paulus Maia, the priest who led the Mass. Among those at the Mass was Mari Alkatiri, a former prime minister and now opposition leader, and also a Muslim, who praised the values held by Francis, listing them as "human fraternity, solidarity, issues of environment". TEARS Helde Marcal Belo, a civil servant, in tears after the Mass, said he had been moved by Francis' decision to visit East Timor last year as part of a gruelling 12-day tour of Asia and Oceania, the longest of his papacy, despite his advanced age and poor health. "He taught us about the importance of loving one another," said Belo, 53. The Catholic faith has a fervent following in East Timor, which together with the Philippines is one of only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia. East Timor's first ever cardinal, Virgilio do Carmo da Silva was heading on Tuesday to Rome to take part in the conclave of cardinals that will pick the new pope. The Church remains deeply popular in East Timor, despite being plagued by scandals. In 2022, the Vatican confirmed it had sanctioned Timorese Bishop and Nobel laureate Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo following allegations he sexually abused boys in East Timor in the 1990s. A year earlier, a defrocked American priest was jailed for sexually abusing girls under his care in East Timor. At a seaside square in Tacitolo, outside Dili, the site of a gathering by Francis that was also visited by Pope John Paul II in 1989, hundreds of people lit candles and held prayers at a site considered by some to be holy land. "I was moved because he came here and now he has left us, not even a year after his visit," said Ledy Andrade, 43. "I pray that he will go to heaven. I will be coming here until the pope's funeral (on Saturday)." Ananda Teresia Yesterday 09:37 AM What is a Roman Catholic conclave and who takes part? Roman Catholic cardinals will hold a conclave to elect the Church's 267th pontiff and a successor to Pope Francis, who has died at the age of 88. The date of the conclave will be announced sometime after his funeral on Saturday. Following are key facts about the conclave - one of the world's oldest and most secretive electoral processes. WHO TAKES PART IN THE CONCLAVE? There were 135 cardinals aged under 80 when Francis died and are thereby eligible to take part in the conclave. However, it is not known if all of them will attend. Cardinals aged 80 or over cannot take part in the conclave but can join the daily, closed-door sessions organised ahead of the election, called general congregations, where the senior prelates discuss issues facing the Church. The person chosen as pope does not have to be one of the cardinal electors, but in practice now always is. The cardinal electors come from 71 countries, against just 48 in 2013, when Pope Francis was elected. Italians make up the biggest single national bloc, with 17 cardinals, against 10 from the United States and seven from Brazil. In all, there are 53 cardinal electors from Europe, 23 from Asia, 18 from Africa, 17 from South America, 16 from North America, four from Central America and four from Oceania. WHERE DOES THE CONCLAVE TAKE PLACE? The cardinals hold their election in the Sistine Chapel, under Michelangelo's frescoes of the Last Judgment and of Bible scenes, including the creation panel with the fingers of God and Adam nearly touching. Most of the participating cardinals sleep in a Vatican hotel behind St Peter's Basilica. They will be banned from communicating with the outside world - no phones, television or Internet. HISTORY OF THE CONCLAVE The word conclave, from Latin cum clave (with a key), dates back to the protracted election of Celestine IV in 1241, when cardinals were locked up in a crumbling palace. One conclave in the 13th century lasted two years, nine months and two days. The average length of the past 10 conclaves was three days. The last conclave, which elected Francis in 2013, lasted just two days and involved five ballots. HOW DOES THE BALLOT WORK? Except for the first day, when only one ballot is held, the cardinals hold two daily balloting sessions until one candidate has a majority of two-thirds plus one. All participants are sworn to secrecy about the voting. WHAT DOES THE SMOKE SIGNIFY? Cardinals cast their votes on papers printed with the Latin words "Eligo in Summum Pontificem" ("I choose as Supreme Pontiff"). The ballots are gathered together and burned at the end of the morning and afternoon sessions, with smoke pouring from a makeshift chimney above the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke indicates inconclusive votes, while white smoke tells the outside world that a pope has been chosen. The great bell of St Peter's Basilica will ring out as an additional sign that a new pope has been elected. The smoke signals are expected at around noon and 7 pm each voting day. However, smoke could emerge earlier if the new pontiff is elected in the first ballot of one of the sessions. HOW IS THE NEW POPE ANNOUNCED? After a pope is chosen, a senior cardinal appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and announces in Latin: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam" ("I announce to you great joy. We have a pope"). He identifies the new pope by his given name, with his first name translated into its Latin version, and then announces the papal name the new leader of the Church has chosen. The papal names most often chosen have been John (23 times), Gregory (16), Benedict (16), Clement (14), Innocent (13), Leo (13) and Pius (12). Pope Francis was the first to choose that name, in honour of St Francis of Assisi. Following the announcement, the new pope steps forward to deliver his first public address and his first "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and the World") blessing in front of the crowds gathered in St Peter's Square. A few days later, the new pope will celebrate a Mass that marks the beginning of his ministry. Crispian Balmer, Reuters Yesterday 09:12 AM Pope Francis will lie in state Wednesday-Friday, Vatican says People will be able to pay their final respects to Pope Francis in St Peter's Basilica from Wednesday through Friday, the Vatican said in a statement. The pontiff, who died aged 88 on Monday, will lie in state inside his coffin. Catholic faithful and the general public will be able to visit from 11:00 am to midnight on Wednesday, 7:00 am to midnight on Thursday and 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Friday. Joshua McElwee, Reuters Yesterday 08:56 AM Leo Varadkar praises Pope Francis for reaching out to gay community Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has praised Pope Francis for reaching out to the LGBT+ community, saying it made him feel 'more comfortable' going to church services. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. His funeral will take place on Saturday. Mr Varadkar, who was taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2024, met Francis during the Pope's visit to Ireland in 2018. The former Fine Gael introduced his partner, Matt, to the Pope during their meeting. In 2023, Francis stated that laws criminalising homosexuality were 'unjust' and that 'being homosexual isn't a crime'. The pontiff visited Ireland for two days in August 2018, which included a visit to Knock, a meeting with victims of clerical abuse, and a visit to a homeless centre run by the Capuchin Fathers. 'I think the way he reached out to groups like ours, like LGBT people, did matter and certainly made me feel more comfortable going to church services,' Mr Varadkar told RTÉ News at One. 'One thing he did, which I think was significant, was he spoke out against criminalisation of gay and lesbian people. 'In Ireland, it's easy to forget that while there are 30 countries where gay people can get married, there are 70 where it's still a crime. 'For the Pope to speak out against that in places like Africa, is actually a real significance – and bear in mind, at the moment, in politics around the world there are people who claim that God is on their side while they try to reduce the rights of LGBT people, while they try to treat migrants badly, while they try to deny climate action. 'Having a pope, the head of the largest Christian church, saying that refugees should be sheltered, saying that our planet was sick and that we needed to act to save it, saying that LGBT people should not be criminalised, that that did matter.' I do hope that successor is of a similar mind.' Mr Varadkar said during Francis's visit to Ireland, relations between the Catholic Church and the state 'weren't very good', referring to the scandals in mother and baby institutions as well as the clerical sex abuse that took place across industrial schools. 'We also had been misaligned from the church in a lot of ways, on a lot of issues,' he added. 'We had the abortion referendum, for example, earlier that year. So relations on lots of levels weren't brilliant. 'But I think I saw it, and I think Pope Francis saw it as well, as an opportunity maybe for a bit of a reset, to kind of shake hands again, if you like, and agreed to have a more equal relationship. 'One that was more mutually respectful, one where the Church wasn't in charge of that relationship anymore in the way it was for most of our history. 'But also one where we were saying back that the Church has a place in our society.' Francis led an open-air Sunday mass in Dublin's Phoenix Park, where pilgrims' attendance was a fraction of the million people who greeted Pope John Paul II at the same spot in 1979. During the Phoenix Park service, the Pope asked for 'forgiveness for the abuses in Ireland' and for 'pardon for all the abuses committed in various types of institutions'. Mr Varadkar said that while it was a 'significant gesture', he believes more could have been done. 'One thing I found very informal, bear in mind he's head of church – he's also a monarch, head of government, head of state of the Vatican City – and obviously his huge responsibilities, but was very colloquial in his language, very informal,' Mr Varadkar added. 'He made the whole thing seem very relaxed, which I thought was great because I was a little bit nervous at first, and then we got to talk about different topics. 'Now the topics would have been flagged in advance. I was keen to talk to him about some things on behalf of the survivors of abuse and talk about the institutions that we were investigating and the compensation packages and so on. 'He definitely listened, definitely heard, and was sort of keen that we follow it up between the two sides at official level. 'One thing he did, though, which I think was very significant, was that he asked for forgiveness.'I was there at the mass in Phoenix Park where he did that, and I think that was a significant gesture. 'Could more have been done? Can more still be done? I think so, but I don't remember a pope previously, I might be wrong, but I don't remember a pope previously confessing to the sin of what had happened and seek forgiveness. I don't think that was nothing.'
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Ellen Coyne: St Brigid was ditched by a Pope – how will next pontiff honour roles of women in the church?
In 1969, St Brigid was one of dozens of saints ditched from the Roman Catholic calendar by Pope Paul VI. Despite the fact that there was as much as, if not more biographical information about Brigid than there was about Colmcille and Patrick, the Vatican had decided there was insufficient evidence to prove the important Irish saint had ever existed.
The Guardian
07-02-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Country diary: Rituals and redwings in a hedgerow communion
Sunday afternoon, early February, and we have gathered between the churchyard of St Andrew's in Bredwardine and the River Wye to mark time. We are here to celebrate St Brigid's Day and Imbolc (the first day of Gaelic spring; the term means 'ewe's milk'), healing and fertility, with meditation and a hedgerow communion. In the sun and the warming air we walk in silence to the old fish ponds and the ancient settlement. I have walked this way many times, often in winter, past the chestnuts, naked and stark against the grey sky, and out into the opening backed by oak trees leaning down to the river. Out of the silence, I hear the 'tseep-tseep' of a solitary redwing amid the 'chack-chack' of fieldfares. I catch a glimpse of its quizzical eye and cream eyebrow; the mottled, lynx-like feathers and the red flash. A split second of connection lifts the soul out of self-consciousness. The redwing reminds me of last year, when, on this same day, in a ritual act of deep memory, we took red ribbons – called 'brat bríde' – that mirror the redwing's flank, to catch the morning dew from the blades of grass. St Brigid is supposed to visit on the eve of 1 February and imbue the dew with protection and healing. We took the ribbons away and placed them in our homes to keep us from harm in the year ahead. Soon, as the swallows start arriving, the redwings will return to the forests of Siberia. Like St Brigid, they fly by night for protection against predators. This year, we would have repeated the ribbon ritual, only the number of attenders – about 60 – was too large to make it possible. Our other hedgerow communions, at Lammas and winter solstice, are similarly popular. But there are other things we can do to mark the day: we welcome the four cardinal points, from the Latin cardo, meaning 'axis', and we share the bread and wine as we move in expectation towards the April resurrection, the light and the lengthening of days. Beneath our feet, a mantle of snowdrops leans towards the pale sun in the west, and someone reads the poem Face to Face by Tomas Tranströmer, which ends with the words: 'The earth and I sprang toward each other.' Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian's Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber; order at and get a 15% discount
