Ara Coeli
Cathedral Road
ARMAGH BT61 7QY
Tel (028) 3752 2045
Fax (028) 3752 6182
Email: [email protected]
Administrative Staff:
Mrs Caroline Hicks
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Mrs Donna Gray
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Mrs Kathy Lennon
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Chancellor:
Very Rev Michael Toner PP
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Assistant Chancellor:
Rev Paul Murphy
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Diocesan Secretary:
Rev Colm Hagan
[email protected]
Financial Administrator:
Mrs Brenda O’Hare
[email protected]
Media Queries:
Mr Martin Long – Tel: 01 5053010
Mobile: 086 1727 678
[email protected]
Click the following link to view the 2025 Confirmation dates for the Archdiocese of Armagh:
Join for a powerful weekend of hope, restoration, and freedom in Christ!
📅 Date: Saturday, 26 April – Sunday, 27 April 2025
📍 Location: Benburb Priory, Co. Tyrone
👥 Ages 18+
Experience renewal and healing in Benburb Priory, where faith, healing, and freedom come alive. Deepen your journey with Christ and embrace the fullness of His love!
Register now! Limited spaces available.
Caption Bishop Michael Router, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh (Catholic Communications Office archive)
As Chair of the Irish Bishops’ Conference Council for Healthcare I welcome the message of Pope Francis for the 33rd World Day of the Sick, which we celebrate this Tuesday, 11 February, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. His message is framed in the context of this Jubilee Year of Hope, and it reminds us that even in suffering, we are called to be “pilgrims of hope.” Pope Francis encourages us to find strength, through our faith, in times of illness and distress, and to embrace the call to see suffering not as a cross to bear alone but as an opportunity to encounter God, to receive His gifts, and to share His love with others. It is important to acknowledge, though, that while Pope Francis’ call to us to recognise God’s closeness in suffering through encounter, gift, and sharing, is comforting, it is also very challenging.
The view that suffering can be an occasion for an encounter with God speaks to our belief that in our weakness, God’s strength is revealed. When Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God to the sick, He was not merely offering words of consolation but an invitation to recognise His presence even in suffering. Illness can quickly remove the cloak of self-sufficiency that we can wrap ourselves in and reveals our need for God, for the depth of His compassion and for the healing power of His love. Pope Francis draws attention to the words of Saint Paul in the letter to the Romans (8:38-39) that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God”. This assurance is a gift from God that deepens our hope because it is a gift that sustains us, even when all else seems uncertain. Christ walks with us every step of the way offering his presence in the Word, in the sacraments of the Church, and through the support of the faith community.
The message of Pope Francis also calls us to recognise the power of sharing our own presence with those who are suffering. The presence of caregivers, medical professionals, family members, or friends, is a tangible expression of God’s love for those who are sick. The smallest acts of kindness become beacons of hope that illuminate even the darkest moments. In these shared experiences, we discover that suffering is not an isolated journey but one that unites us in faith, love, and solidarity.
Implicit in this call is the need for us to continually advocate for a healthcare system that never loses sight of the dignity of the person from conception to natural death. Sometimes healthcare becomes overly concerned with economics and with scientific advancements and doesn’t see the person beyond the patient. For true and holistic healing to take place the importance of faith, family and community, must be factored into the care of the sick.
Considering this I welcome the inclusion of proposals in the new programme for government that, if implemented, could begin to create a more equitable healthcare system for all. Such proposals include the full implementation of national mental health policies, the reduction of waiting times to within 10-12 weeks, and an increase in hospital and ICU bed capacity. These remain aspirations, however, and the experience of delivery in the past is not good. The saga of the National Children’s Hospital is a case in point.
Upholding the dignity and rights of each person is essential in healthcare. This unfortunately, has been eroded in Ireland over the past decade with the introduction of a liberal abortion regime that has led to the deaths of over 30,000 children in the womb. The last Dáil began exploring the possibility of introducing assisted suicide in Ireland, a move that would fly in the face of the underlying principle of medical intervention – ‘Do no harm’. Increasing funding and capacity in the delivery of palliative care is the only compassionate and ethical way to approach end-of-life issues. Alongside palliative care the expansion of pastoral care services should be supported in all healthcare facilities across the country. Such services look after the spiritual needs of people who are sick or suffering and are essential to the well-being of so many people.
As we celebrate this World Day of the Sick, we are called to reflect on the challenge of Pope Francis to find hope in suffering. We are reminded that even in our weakest moments, we are not alone. God is near, offering His strength, His gifts, and His people to walk with us. May we, in turn, resolve to become instruments of His hope and comfort, bringing light, in any way we can, to those who need it most.
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh and chairman of the Council for Healthcare of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference
The Truth Recovery Independent Panel has been appointed by the Executive Office to investigate the history and impact of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 1995. This independent panel is working to uncover the realities of these institutions and their lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities.
The Archdiocese of Armagh supports and encourages engagement with this important process. Those affected are invited to share their experiences in a safe, non-adversarial setting, with confidentiality available for those who request it.
The Truth Recovery Independent Panel is seeking testimonies from:
Gathering these testimonies will contribute to a fuller understanding of what took place and help ensure that the experiences of those affected are recognised.
The panel is providing:
This work is an important step toward truth, recognition, and ensuring that the suffering of the past is not forgotten.
Anyone affected, or anyone with relevant information, can contact the panel directly:
📍 Address: Truth Recovery Independent Panel, 4th Floor, Equality House, 7 – 9 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, BT2 7DB
📞 Phone: 028 9052 0263 (Monday – Friday, 11am – 12pm and 3pm – 4pm, or via the secure voicemail service outside these hours.)
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.independentpanel.truthrecoveryni.co.uk
The Archdiocese of Armagh acknowledges the significance of this work and encourages those who have been affected to consider engaging with the panel.
Details on the work of the Truth Recovery Independent Panel can be found at the following link:
Work of the Independent Panel
As Catholic Schools Week 2025 comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible celebrations, reflections, and acts of faith that have taken place across the Archdiocese of Armagh over the past week.
This year’s theme, Alive in Christ, reminded us of the vibrant faith found within our Catholic school communities. Inspired by the words of Pope Francis in Christus Vivit:
“Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life.” (Christus Vivit, 1)
We extend our deepest gratitude to every school and parish that marked Catholic Schools Week in so many creative and prayerful ways. From Grandparents’ Day in primary schools to the focus on family and community in post-primary schools, it has been truly inspiring to see the faith, energy, and dedication of our Catholic school communities.
A sincere thank you to all teachers, staff, students, chaplains, parents, and parish communities who contributed to making this week a success. Your commitment to handing on the faith to young people is a gift to the Church and to the future.
Throughout the week, schools across the diocese engaged in liturgies, assemblies, prayer services, and creative projects, exploring how we are called to live in the joy of Christ.
Highlights of the week were the celebration in St. John the Baptist Church, Portadown and the Seinn Songs of Praise event at Holy Redeemer Church, Dundalk, where students lifted their voices in song and praise. Archbishop Eamon Martin presided, assisted by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Router, alongside priests from the Dundalk parishes. It was a powerful witness to the gift of faith and the role of our Catholic schools in nurturing that faith in young people.
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As Catholic Schools Week concludes, we hope that we can carry forward this years message during the upcoming the year—continuing to nurture faith, hope, and love in our schools, homes, and communities. May we remain alive in Christ, always seeking to grow in faith and to share the light of Christ with others.
Thank you once again to all who made Catholic Schools Week 2025 such a wonderful celebration.
#CatholicSchoolsWeek #AliveInChrist #Faith #Hope #Joy
“Do You Believe This? Embracing Faith and Unity in a Troubled World”
As we enter the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18–25 January 2025), we are reminded of the question posed by Jesus to Martha in John 11:26: “Do you believe this?” This question, rooted in love and invitation, calls us to reflect ourselves on our shared faith as Christians and the ways in which belief shapes each of our lives and relationships.
This year marks a significant moment in Christian history as Christians across the world mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the first Ecumenical Council of the Church. It was at this council that the Nicene Creed—our shared profession of faith—was formed, providing a foundation for unity among Christians despite the many divisions that have emerged over the centuries.
The theme for this year’s Week of Prayer, “Do You Believe This?” invites us to deepen our commitment to faith as a way of life, challenging us to live out our belief in a world filled with division, suffering, and uncertainty. Each of us are called to offer the hope and transformative power of Christ to everyone we meet.
Each day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity focuses on a theme drawn from the Nicene Creed and scripture, encouraging all Christians to explore belief as a dynamic, life-giving force.
We invite you to journey with us through these themes, celebrating the richness of our shared Christian heritage while striving for greater unity in Christ.
Join us in prayer, reflection, and action throughout the week. Resources, including daily reflections, scripture readings, and prayers, are available on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website at www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer. Let us together respond to Christ’s call to faith and unity.
Daily Themes
In his message for the World Day of Peace on 1 January, Pope Francis draws the world’s attention to the incredible amount of money and resources being spent on weapons of war. He echoes the urbi et orbi message he gave on Christmas Day, the morning after he had opened the Holy Door for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, when he said:
“Come! Jesus is the Door of Peace … entering through that Door … calls us to leave behind our disputes and divisions, surrendering ourselves to the outstretched arms of the Child who is the Prince of Peace … I invite every individual, and all peoples and nations, to find the courage needed to walk through that Door, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions!”
In his message for World Day of Peace on 1 January, Pope Francis prays that the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope may be a year in which peace shall flourish and hearts may be fixed on the goals of true peace and of building a better world. He makes a strong plea that a “fixed percentage of the money earmarked for armaments” might be used instead for “a global Fund” to eradicate hunger and facilitate “education for sustainable development and combating climate change.” Such a commitment, he says, would help “disarm hearts” that are so easily filled with anxiety, with the fear of war, or even a desire for vengeance.
Pope Francis reflects on the mercy with which God constantly forgives our sins and forgives our every debt. In this year of Jubilee he draws attention to the challenging words in the Our Father prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
How much humanity needs God’s mercy and forgiveness for inflicting the horrors and brutality of war across the world today – in Gaza and other parts of the Holy land and Middle East; in Sudan, DRC, Yemen, Myanmar and Ukraine – sadly the list is long and shameful. We need to cry out for forgiveness for spending: (in 2023) an estimated US$2.5 trillion on armaments and military resources – an amount that has since been increasing, not decreasing. Such expenditure cannot be reconciled with our Christian commitment to reconciliation and peace, or with the beliefs of any of the world’s major faiths and religions, or with secular principles of the common good and the flourishing of humanity.
The use in war of more and more sophisticated and powerful weapons – especially in the midst of streets, homes, hospitals and schools – makes it difficult to distinguish so-called “modern warfare” from terror. How can tactics, which cause thousands of civilian deaths, alongside the whole scale destruction of food, water, health services and other infrastructure that is essential for survival, ever hope to restore justice and rights, resolve differences, respect human dignity, or provide a path for reconciliation and peace?
In the past 15 months, for example, we have witnessed not only the egregious 7th October 2023 terror attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Israel, including the taking of hostages – 100 of whom are still held captive in Gaza – but we have also seen a merciless and disproportionate response by Israel: over 45,000 people including 17,000 children have been cut down; two million people forcibly displaced; almost the entire population of Gaza is living in extreme hunger, and despite the reality of catastrophic famine conditions for hundreds of thousands of desperate civilians, humanitarian access is effectively blocked. International Humanitarian Law says that parties to a conflict cannot use disproportionate measures to achieve military objectives. The near-complete destruction of Gaza, and the bringing of its population to the brink of famine is, by any standard, a disproportionate measure.
I highlight Gaza not only because of the severe impact of this conflict, but because it is emblematic of the failure of the international community to prevent the escalation of conflict and to protect civilians. This is despite rulings of the International Court of Justice on protection from genocide, on illegal occupation of Territories and on systemic discrimination. I am conscious that people who have expressed similar views to these have been accused of anti-semitism. I wish to put it on record, once again, that I abhor the violations by Hamas and other Islamist militant groups against the people of Israel, and that I fully support the right of Israelis to live in peace and security. This right has to be achieved in the context of a just peace, where the legitimate rights of Palestinians are also protected in line with international law.
I pray today with Pope Francis, “May the sound of arms be silenced … May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war … May the doors of dialogue and peace be flung open throughout the region, devastated by conflict.”
On 1 January twenty-five years ago, on the occasion of the Great Jubilee Year of 2000, Pope John Paul II said: “Wars generally do not resolve the problems for which they are fought and therefore, in addition to causing horrendous damage, they prove ultimately futile. War is a defeat for humanity.” This is clearly seen when the world continues to tolerate the escalation in production, supply, trade and use of weapons of war while so many other human needs need to be prioritised and resourced – like tackling hunger, famine, the impact of climate change, the scourge of addictions, and the essential health and educational needs of millions of people – throughout the world.
Pope Francis’ reminds us that, “Peace does not only come with the end of wars but with the dawn of a new world, a world in which we realize that we are different, closer and more fraternal than we ever thought possible.”
That is why we should pray fervently with the Holy Father:
“Forgive us our trespasses, Lord,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
In this cycle of forgiveness, grant us your peace,
the peace that you alone can give
to those who let themselves be disarmed in heart,
to those who choose in hope to forgive the debts of their brothers and sisters,
to those who are unafraid to confess their debt to you,
and to those who do not close their ears to the cry of the poor.”
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dromore and Primate of All Ireland
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“There couldn’t be a better time for a Jubilee Year of Hope. We live in a world where anxiety, doubt and sometimes despair often appear to have the upper hand.”
On Sunday, 29th December, the Archdiocese of Armagh marked the opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 with a special Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. The celebration, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” brought together Archbishop Eamon Martin, Bishop Michael Router, clergy representative from across the Archdiocese, families, and young people representing the parishes of the Archdiocese. A particularly significant moment in the Liturgy was the warm welcome extended to the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Luis Montemayor, who joined the congregation for this milestone event.
During the Mass, Archbishop Eamon Martin delivered a homily, reflecting on the profound significance of hope in today’s world. He emphasized the call of Pope Francis for believers to become “Pilgrims of Hope,” sharing the message of Christ’s love and inspiring others to place their trust in Him. Reflecting on the challenges facing individuals and communities—war, violence, exploitation, and addiction—Archbishop Martin called on the faithful to be fearless ambassadors of hope, energetic peacemakers, and steadfast in their commitment to the vulnerable and marginalized.
Highlights of the Jubilee Year
It is hoped that the Jubilee Year will to be a time of spiritual renewal and vibrant community celebrations across the Archdiocese and beyond. Archbishop Martin asked that parishes engage in a range of initiatives, including pilgrimages to local and national shrines, monthly parish activities, and special events to honour the 400th anniversary of St. Oliver Plunkett’s birth and the centenary of the death of Venerable Matt Talbot. The Jubilee hymn, prayer, and logo were unveiled during the Mass, setting a vibrant and celebratory tone for the year ahead.
Preparation for the Diocesan Congress on Youth and Family
A significant announcement was made during the celebration: preparations will begin for a Diocesan Congress on Youth and Family Ministry, to be held in March 2026. This initiative reflects the fruit of the synodal journey undertaken over the past three years, which engaged laypeople, religious, and clergy in discerning the future of the Church in the Archdiocese of Armagh and Ireland.
Bishop Michael Router outlined plans for the Congress, emphasising the importance of youth and family ministry. Delegates from parishes, schools, and universities will be invited in 2025 to participate in this reflective and collaborative process. Bishop Router highlighted the need to resource and promote vibrant ministry to young people and families at local level, ensuring that the Church continues to be a source of hope, faith, and love for generations to come.
Looking Ahead
The Jubilee Year and its theme of hope invite all members of the Archdiocese to reflect on their faith and renew their commitment to sharing the Good News with all. Archbishop Eamon Martin expressed his heartfelt prayer that the 2025 Jubilee Year would inspire countless graced moments locally, nationally, and internationally.
As we embark on this journey together, we remember the words of Pope Francis: “Let us even now be drawn to this hope through our witness. May hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it.”
The Archdiocese of Armagh looks forward to a year filled with renewal, celebration, and an ever-deepening commitment to being “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Stay connected for updates and resources throughout the Jubilee Year on this website, on www.ArmaghPrays.com and on the Archdiocesan social media profiles.
Photos from the Celebration
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Someone once said that ninety percent of life is “just turning up”, and probably ninety percent of most of our lives is indeed spent in a kind of routine. The routine may vary depending on our stage in life and our changing circumstances but we are creatures of habit who like settled patterns and are wary of change. Certainly it would be extremely wearying to live at a high pitch of excitement and constant change for ninety percent of the time.
Yet, occasionally in all our lives – and more frequently for some – life’s circumstances will bring us face-to-face with some of the great unavoidable facts of existence: evil, sin, suffering and death. In many parts of the world today, not least in the places where Jesus was born and “went about doing good”, they are a persistent daily reality, often in their most gruesome and demoralising forms.
What we call, sometimes rather lamely, “the Christmas story” brings another of the great unavoidable facts of existence, to set alongside the irrefutable fact of the darkness of evil. The fact of the bright mystery and love of God. It is one of Bible’s great strengths that it doesn’t pretend that the world is other than how it is experienced by men and women. It doesn’t pretend that the mystery of evil and the mystery of God are easy to understand or come to terms with. It may have fallen into disuse but one remembers when those who offered simple, trite or baseless reassurance about life’s bitterness were called “Job’s comforters”, after the group of his friends who offered false hope to that long suffering man.
However, the Christmas story as we will encounter it at Midnight worship on Christmas Eve, or on Christmas morning, will include the words “…and the light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Before the invention of either printing or the spread of literacy, those words would have been heard by believers rather than read by them. Perhaps in modern terms they might even be called “a spoiler” because it’s as if the writer or editor of John’s Gospel doesn’t want people to have to wait until the end of the drama to know the outcome of what it means for the world and for the believer when Word became flesh.
And the outcome is that the Father’s love follows Jesus into the darkness of the world and that light has the last word and not darkness. And that for all of life’s obscurity and complications and suffering, that Jesus Christ and his love for the cosmos is the foregone conclusion of all things.
The hope-filled Canticle of Zechariah, which is prayed at Lauds every morning, speaks of the dawn from on high “breaking” upon us, “to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death”. At Christmas time we should never forget that this same light guides our feet “into the way of peace”. The light of Christ breaks into our daily routine, just as it did for the watchful shepherds and wandering Magi on the first Christmas night. Our responsibility is to pass it on, as if to say in the words of 1 John 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness.”
We are called to ensure that the light of Bethlehem continues to stream out across the world, from Gaza to Ukraine, from Sudan to Syria, and on into our own homes, communities and workplaces across the island of Ireland. Where hatred, war and violence abound, the world falls deeper and deeper into darkness. Where the light of Christ is shared, love and peace shall be found.
Happy Christmas.
Today, Friday, 29th November 2024, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be voted on in the Westminster Parliament. If enacted, this Bill will facilitate a change in the law to permit assisted suicide in Northern Ireland.
Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “For all those who cherish a culture of life across these islands, the introduction of law to permit assisted suicide is an affront to a safe and protective society. Today, I am strongly appealing to MPs from Northern Ireland to appose this assisted suicide Bill when they vote on it tomorrow in the House of Commons.
“As a society we are defined by the extent to which we care for our most vulnerable persons including those suffering from disabilities, terminal illness or otherwise nearing the end of life. While this is a Gospel imperative, it is noteworthy that medical and healthcare professionals are also gravely concerned at an evolving political ideology which would interfere with their calling to ‘do no harm’ and which would legally erode the right to life at all stages.”
On 24 June last the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference published a pastoral letter Freedom to Live Fully, Until Death Comes reflecting the Church’s teaching on care at the end of life, along with the accompanying video Through The Valley. The pastoral letter stated:
‘By legislating for assisted suicide or euthanasia, the State would contribute to undermining the confidence of people who are terminally ill, who want to be cared for and want to live life as fully as possible until death naturally comes. People who are dying are entitled to be accompanied in a holistic way. We believe that palliative care services need to be more widely available, in hospitals and hospices and in the community.’
To view Through the Valley, a short movie drawing on the experience of family members and healthcare professionals that explores how we accompany people in the final stages of life; and to read the pastoral letter Freedom to Live Fully, Until Death Comes, see https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2024/06/24/bishops-statement-on-end-of-life-care-freedom-to-live-fully-until-death-comes/
+ Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
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