Ara Coeli
Cathedral Road
ARMAGH BT61 7QY
Tel (028) 3752 2045
Fax (028) 3752 6182
Email: [email protected]
Administrative Staff:
Mrs Caroline Hicks
[email protected]
Mrs Donna Gray
[email protected]
Mrs Kathy Lennon
[email protected]
Chancellor:
Very Rev Michael Toner PP
[email protected]
Assistant Chancellor:
Rev Paul Murphy
[email protected]
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 2020 Confirmation dates for the Archdiocese of Armagh.
Honouring the Martyrs of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow … WATCH film on the magnificent new statue of St Oliver Plunkett in Armagh Cathedral here – http://tiny.cc/vyhvfz
This short film records how the magnificent new statue of St Oliver Plunkett in Armagh Cathedral honours all those persecuted for their faith.
This film, produced by iCatholic, was commissioned by Aid to the Church in Need (Ireland)
“Week of Witness” to be celebrated in the Archdiocese of Armagh
A special “Week of Witness” will be celebrated in the Archdiocese of Armagh from Sunday 24 – Friday 29 November 2019. During the week, a number of events will take place to celebrate the lives of those who have given great witness to their faith in the past and those who continue to give witness today and all who will continue to give great witness in the future.
On Sunday 24th November, Bishop Michael Router will launch the ‘week of Witness’ at the 10.30am Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral.
On Tuesday 26th November, a special lecture will be given by Jean Harrington in The Magnet Pastoral Centre, Dundalk at 7.30pm on “Martyrdom in the 21st century”. Jean is the author of “Murder in the Missions – a true story” which was published earlier this year. Admission is free on the evening.
On Wednesday 27th November (Red Wednesday) Archbishop Martin will lead a special “Liturgy of Witness” in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at 7.30pm. People are invited to wear something red as we remember all who have given and all who continue to give great witness to their faith. During the celebration, Archbishop Martin will speak with two young people who give great witness to their faith today.
After the Liturgy, Archbishop Martin will launch a new book in The Synod Hall titled “Not might nor fear – Prayers and Reflections on the new Statue of St Oliver Plunkett” edited by Canon Benedict Fee.
On Thursday 28th November, Archbishop Martin will celebrate the 10am Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral and during the Mass, special prayers will be offered for all who give witness to their faith in the world today. After the Mass, the Archbishop will join with all the young people who are to be confirmed in the Cathedral Parish this year, in leading a “Walk of Witness” within the Cathedral and as part of the walk, prayers will be offered that all of us may respond to the call to be more faithful in giving witness to the faith in our homes and in our communities.
“Aid to the Church in need” invites us during “Week of Witness” to join on Wednesday 27th November to light up our Churches and wear something red as we remember Christian martyrs and those who have died for their faith. On that day, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh will be a blaze of red and people are asked to wear something red (a sweater, a cardigan, a jacket, a scarf or a tie) as a symbolic reminder of all those Christians who gave great witness and who suffered and died for their Christian faith over the years. As we remember the sacrifice of many wonderful martyrs and all who have died and continue to die for their faith, Archbishop Eamon Martin will lead a special Prayer Service in St Patrick’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on the evening.
During the celebration, he will speak with two young people who give great witness to their faith today. Colleen Gribben is a Maths Teacher in St Catherine’s College, Armagh and Head Camp Coordinator of the Armagh City Micheala Foundation Summer Camp. Colleen is a woman of deep faith and she will share something of how she works to promote faith not only through her involvement with the Micheala Camp but also in her daily work in school.
Gerard Devine is a teacher of Religious Studies in St Patrick’s Grammar School, Armagh, having taught previously in St Edmund’s College, London. Again, he’s a man who gives great witness to his faith not only in his teaching but through his involvement with Armagh Diocesan Youth Council, School Aid Romania and St Vincent de Paul. Gerard has helped to lead a number of youth pilgrimages over the last few years.
All are welcome to join for this special celebration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeaNbCe0Bkw&feature=youtu.be
Radharc began in the year 1961 when a group of Dublin priests started making documentary films for the new Irish television service. Over the next 35 years 425 films were made in 75 countries.. Religious practices at home and abroad were filmed and discussed. Social injustice, human rights abuse, famine and civil unrest, were recorded either openly or secretly in true documentary filmmaking fashion. The films cover a wide variety of subjects. Many different world cultures were explored and celebrated and many noted personalities were interviewed.
150 films were made in Ireland. Twenty were filmed in Northern Ireland and covered the period civil war there. Over fifty films were made in North America and Canada
Civil unrest in South America was a popular theme as it also was in the Far East.
The Radharc archive is a priceless record of life in the second half of the twentieth century. The films carry the basic Christian message. They have much to offer present day audiences and richly deserve to be cherished and preserved for future generations.
The Trust continues the work of promoting these values in the media. Awards are given to professional and amateurs of all ages for documentaries that have the same ethos as Radharc. Technical work on the Archive is ongoing and professional Archivists are employed on this important work.
The list of the films can be found and searched country by country on www.radharc.ie
The Radharc Trust, 18, Newbridge Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4. CRA 20011901
At midnight last night, 21 October, all explicit protection for the unborn child up to 28 weeks of pregnancy was removed in Northern Ireland, leading to potentially one of the most liberal and unregulated abortion regimes in the world. This is a tragic day for the unborn children who will now never bless our world with their unique and precious lives. It is also a sad day for our local democracy.
For the past three months, with tens of thousands of others, we have been calling on our political representatives to restore the NI Assembly, not only to address the pressing economic, social, health, welfare and educational issues of these times, but especially also to debate and halt the Abortion legislation which was rushed through the Westminster Parliament in July 2019.
To describe as a ‘stunt’ the efforts of thousands of citizens from all sections of our community to make use of the democratic system to address an issue of such fundamental importance is deeply offensive. The unavoidable truth is that our locally elected representatives had the time and the power to prevent this draconian Westminster abortion legislation being introduced over the heads of local citizens but chose not to do so. It is the duty of citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable for the decisions they have made.
Abortion is a brutal violation of the precious gift of life. The right to life is not given to us by any law or government. Any human law that removes the right to life is an unjust law and must be resisted by every person, every voter, every political representative. For Catholic politicians this is not only a matter of protecting the human right to life but also a fundamental matter of Catholic faith.
We have consistently said that the equal right to life, and love, of a mother and her unborn child is so fundamental to the common good of every society that citizens deserve the fullest participation in the democratic debate about the legislation which governs it.
Similarly, the freedom of conscience of healthcare professionals needs to be respected and they should never be required to lend their support to an action which conflicts with their commitment to uphold life.
We are also concerned at the redefinition of marriage which effectively places the union of two men, or two women, on a par with the marriage relationship between a husband and wife which is open to the procreation of children.
Our locally elected representatives still have the power to bring together the Assembly to deal with the introduction of this legislation and the range of other issues such as welfare, health and education that urgently demand attention for the sake of the most vulnerable in our society, especially unborn children and their mothers. We appeal to all local parties to redouble their efforts to restore the Assembly and power-sharing Executive, to give expression to the democratic will of local citizens and to address the urgent need to build a society based on respect for the right to life and concern for those most in need, who are most affected by their ongoing failure to agree.
We ask all voters to respond to the forthcoming short consultations on the Westminster legislation that has been introduced today and to leave their representatives in no doubt as to how they feel in these matters. We also call on people to continue to pray for a society which respects the equal right to life and care of a mother and her unborn child, with a compassion that welcomes every child as a unique and wonderful gift.
Ends
Today in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome, Cardinal John Henry Newman was created a saint by Pope Francis. It is a momentous occasion for Christians of all traditions on these islands as Newman, was, during his life, an evangelical Calvinist, an Anglican and a Catholic. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1847 and created a cardinal in 1879 by Pope Leo XIII for services to English Catholicism. He also spent four years in Dublin where he helped to establish the Catholic University, a forerunner of University College Dublin. His canonisation was attended not only by Catholic bishops and priests as representatives of the Church in England and Ireland but also by Prince Charles, representatives of the British Government, the Irish Government, the Anglican Church, Oxford University and UCD. The intercession and memory of Saint John Henry Newman will, hopefully, be invoked in the future to bring about closer cooperation between the major religious communities on this island.
Newman was a prolific writer of books and essays during his lifetime. One of his most famous publications was his volume of lectures ‘The Idea of a University’. In this he puts forward his philosophy of education. He expressed the need for a Catholic University in a sector that had, even in his time, become largely secular. For Newman such a university must support research and be able to publish that research free from church censorship or else it would have no legitimacy in the modern world. What made it Catholic, however, would be the respect that it had for the teachings of the Church. In Discourse IX Newman says that a University is not a convent or a seminary but a place of “direct preparation for this world”. It is a place where young men and women are plunged into the world, in other words thrown into the deep end. Newman believed that those in University must learn to swim in troubled waters by jumping into them. University life removes the supports of childhood and the teenage years and exposes the student to the difficult and exciting prospect of standing on one’s own feet and, perhaps for the first time, making choices that will affect the rest of their lives.
Earlier this year Pope Francis published his encyclical Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive) which emerged from the Synod of Bishops, on young people, faith and vocational discernment that was held in 2018. In this encyclical Pope Francis has many interesting things to say about being a young Christian in today’s world and I want to touch this evening on some of what he says. Like Saint John Henry Newman the Pope encourages young people to plunge into life, to overcome anxiety and keep following their hopes and dreams. Our dreams are not instantly attainable but are the work of time, patience and commitment. Yet despite this he warns against being afraid to take risks or to make mistakes because you can always start again “for no one has the right to rob you of hope” (Par. 142). He advises the young not to “observe life from a balcony. Don’t confuse happiness with an armchair, or live your life behind a screen … Don’t be parked cars, but dream freely and make good decisions … Cast out the fears that paralyze you, so that you don’t become young mummies. Live! Give yourselves over to the best of life! Open the door of the cage, go out and fly! Please, don’t take early retirement” (Par. 143).
These are not the words we expect to hear from an 82 year old Pope but he does recognise that the energy, enthusiasm and idealism of youth is a good thing as it can be the catalyst to bring about positive change. In particular he singles out those who commit themselves to volunteer work that shows solidarity with others. Those who mentor the young must accompany them and encourage them particularly in their direct contact with the poor and the less fortunate in our world. Such social engagement can lead to a deepening of one’s own faith and the discernment of one’s vocation in life. The pope acknowledges that this is happening in so many ways in school and university groups through visitation to the elderly and the sick, and in charity work such as the establishment of soup kitchens for the homeless. Through such activity we can receive more than we give and grow in wisdom and maturity when we make the time to touch and understand the suffering of others. Pope Francis reminds us that the “poor have a hidden wisdom and, with a few simple words, they can help us discover unexpected values. (Par 171).
Pope Francis also recognises that young people have a desire to build a better world and he acknowledged that they had taken to the streets in many places to protest. We see that very recently in the Greta Thunberg led protests designed to challenge us about climate change. In the gospel story of the loaves and fishes a young man cooperates with Jesus to bring about a miracle, the forerunner of the Eucharist, in which bread and wine are transformed to bring us to eternal salvation. The challenges that young people face today can be confronted positively with faith in the Risen Lord present in the Eucharist. Jesus is with us every step of the way in our struggles create a just society. Pope Francis encourages you to “fight for the common good, serve the poor, be protagonists of the revolution of charity and service, capable of resisting the pathologies of consumerism and superficial individualism”(Par. 174)
Consumerism and excessive individualism are the subtle enemies of a free and just society. We are encouraged today to look after only ourselves or a few close loved ones and ignore those outside that circle. Fear of others is actually encouraged in society so that we will be more compliant consumers wishing to insulate ourselves from the big bad world. Various secular and non-Christian ideologies want you to forget the past, to spurn the experiences of your elders and reject the “spiritual and human riches inherited from past generations” (Par 181). If you do you will be open to their influences and will be uprooted from the foundations which give you stability and values in life. These ideologies will also use the ‘cult of youth’ to manipulate you and make you feel worthless if you don’t fit in to the idealised image of youth they promote. Whatever is not young, slim and beautiful is side-lined and in that way the young are exploited for political and financial profit. Remember beauty and eternal youth is found in those who have aged gracefully, those who suffer illness or disability, those who sacrifice themselves for others, those who are committed to a husband or wife through thick and thin or those who work long and hard to feed their families.
Part of this strategy of promoting a selfish and consumerist world is the attempt to promote spirituality without God. How many people do you hear say today “I’m spiritual but not religious”. What does that mean? Pope Francis is clear that it is an attempt to separate you from “community or concern for those who suffer” and it “claims to offer a future paradise that nonetheless seems increasingly distant” (Par 184). The Christian way, which the pope proposes, offers us freedom, enthusiasm and new horizons.
The effects of these secular ideologies which are constantly presented to us through the media, through advertising, through popular culture such as music and its accompanying videos, has had the effect of making ‘choice’ a god in today’s world. It is proclaimed with abandon that everyone has the right to choose even if those choices bring destruction on themselves or others. For instance, this worship of individual choice, separated from any obligation to the common good, has led to a widespread acceptance of the right to choose to end human life in the womb. It has become increasingly difficult for people, young Christians in particular, to speak out for what they know to be true – that every human life has a value and ought not, at any stage, to be destroyed or disposed of at will. Abortion has been described as either healthcare or a human right but to do so is to twist language and to misrepresent the true meaning of those terms in the most remarkable way. I have great faith in the youth of today that with the education they receive, and their innate sense of justice and right, they will see through the lies promoted by the abortion industry and see the ending of innocent life in this way as one of the great injustices of our time. Our opposition, however, to abortion must always be expressed in the language of love, love for the woman who feels forced to make her choice and love for the born child as well as the unborn.
Pope Francis acknowledges that the challenges young people face today are many and perhaps greater than ever before. Your time here in Queen’s University will expose you to those challenges in a new way and all of you will be truly educated when you have responded to those challenges in a way that doesn’t rob you of your integrity, your faith and the values you possess. In Christus Vivit, Pope Francis encourages you to “care for your roots, because from the roots comes the strength that is going to make you grow, flourish and bear fruit”. (Par 186). Your experience of university life should not uproot you from who you are, or where you are from, but help to find how best to express that in your life with respect for others and with respect for yourself.
And finally, be grateful for the opportunity you are receiving in this place of learning. As we heard in the gospel this evening gratitude can be in short supply – only one out of ten healed lepers returned to Jesus to give thanks – but true gratitude keeps us humble and shows us that we rely on others and that what we achieve in life is not achieved on our own. We are simply standing on the shoulders of giants – the community we share this space with and the many generations who have gone before. May you look out and up from yourself and find our creative and living God in all that you do.
ENDS
“This Sunday – Mission Sunday – is an opportunity to engage with the theme of the Extraordinary Month “Baptised and Sent” praying for Missionaries abroad and thanking God for those who have passed on the faith to us here in Ireland both international Missionaries and our own parents, teachers and religious leaders.”
Rev Barry Matthews, Diocesan Director Pontifical Missions Society
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnyUVM-iIiQ&t=36s
The leaders of Ireland’s main churches met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Julian Smith MP, in Armagh yesterday evening to express their concerns regarding the continued Stormont impasse and its effect on civic society and the most vulnerable in particular. This morning (10 October) they issued the following joint statement:
“As the leaders all of the main Churches in Northern Ireland, we met in Armagh last evening with the Secretary of State to highlight our strong concerns regarding the continued Stormont impasse. We discussed with him the urgent need for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly to address issues such as welfare reform mitigations, health and education policy, as well as the urgent economic and wider issues surrounding Brexit. In particular we conveyed our strongly held and shared conviction that the devolved institutions need to be restored before the 21 October to avoid unacceptably wide-ranging abortion legislation being imposed on Northern Ireland. The protection and the dignity of all human life is of vital importance, both women and unborn children – both lives matter.
“We believe that our Northern Ireland political parties have it in their own hands to do something about this. They all need to take risks, especially for the most vulnerable in society, and make the compromises necessary to find an accommodation that will restore the devolved institutions.”
Most Rev Eamon Martin
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of all Ireland
Rt Rev Dr William Henry
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Rev Sam McGuffin
President of the Methodist Church in Ireland
Rev Brian Anderson
President of the Irish Council of Churches
Rt Rev John McDowell
Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher (representing Most Rev Dr Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of All Ireland)
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Apostolic Administrator of Dromore & Primate of all Ireland is available for interview on behalf of the Church Leaders’ Group.
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444.
Next weekend our parish will celebrate World Mission Sunday. It’s a way for you to give support to those suffering within our Church family. On the 20th, every single parish worldwide will give what they can. It will be used to support overseas missionaries, many of whom work in some of the world’s most impoverished communities. Next week, if you can, please be extra generous during Mass.
If you can’t give on World Mission Sunday, you can donate online at www.wmi.ie/donate or give €4 right now, by texting the word ‘Mission’ to 50300. (Texts cost €4. World Mission Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LikeCharity. Helpline: 076 680 5278. Republic of Ireland only.) You can also donate online at www.wmi.ie/donate. World Missions Ireland, the Church’s charity for overseas mission, is responsible for the coordination of Mission Month. Go to www.wmi.ie to learn more about their work.
It is World Mission Sunday, a day when our entire Church family comes together for a truly incredible celebration of solidarity. Today, every single Church around the world shares what they can, so that the vital work of the Church and our missionaries can continue. Through your extra generosity, you are offering much needed financial help to missionaries who dedicate their lives to those who are suffering and neglected. From all the missionaries your kindness supports, thank you for digging deeper today.
If you’d like to further support World Mission Sunday, you can donate online at www.wmi.ie/donate or give €4 right now, by texting the word ‘Mission’ to 50300. (Texts cost €4. World Mission Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LikeCharity. Helpline: 076 680 5278. Republic of Ireland only.) You can also donate online at www.wmi.ie/donate. World Missions Ireland, the Church’s charity for overseas mission, is responsible for the coordination of Mission Month. Go to www.wmi.ie to learn more about their work.
Thank you for your prayers and generosity towards World
Mission Sunday last weekend. Your kindness means so much. It will help missionaries and struggling communities to form and sustain communities of hope and faith. Please know that your continued kindness towards World Mission Sunday makes transformative differences in the lives of people who are suffering. Thank you.
You can still support World Mission Sunday! Donate online at www.wmi.ie/donate or give €4 right now, by texting the word ‘Mission’ to 50300. (Texts cost €4. World Mission Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LikeCharity. Helpline: 076 680 5278. Republic of Ireland only.) You can also donate online at www.wmi.ie/donate. World Missions Ireland, the Church’s charity for overseas mission, is responsible for the coordination of Mission Month. Go to www.wmi.ie to learn more about their work.
Donate €4.00 towards the life-giving work of overseas missionaries
TEXT the word ‘MISSION’ to 50300*
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