The death has taken place of Fr Tommy McGeough PE on Monday 25 January.

Due to government guidelines and coronavirus restrictions, Fr Tommy’s funeral Mass will take place privately on Wednesday, 27 January, in the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Ardee, at 12.00 noon.  The Mass can be viewed at the following link: 

https://www.churchmedia.tv/camera/church-of-the-nativity-of-our-lady.

We ask that you keep Fr. McGeough in your prayers at this time, May he rest in peace.

CURRICULUM VITAE

 Very Rev Thomas McGeough PE

Born:               30 August 1932, Parish of Knockbridge

Studied           

St Patrick’s College, Armagh             1944-49

St Patrick’s College, Maynooth          1949-56

Ordained:        17 June 1956, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth

Appointments

On Missions with Kiltegan Fathers, Nigeria              1956-59

Emigrant Missions, England                                   1960-62

Curate, Errigal Ciaran                                            1962-69

Administrator, Coagh                                             1969-82

On Missions, Lagos, Nigeria                                    1982-91

Parish Priest, Crossmaglen                                      1991-06

Pastor Emeritus, Assistant Pastor, Ardee & Collon      2006-14

Pastor Emeritus                                                      2014-21

Date of Death: 25 January 2021, Corderry, Knockbridge, Co Louth

The death has taken place of Fr. Joe McKeever on Saturday 23rd January 2021.   

Due to the coronavirus restrictions, Fr. McKeever’s funeral will be private. It is hoped at a later date to arrange a Mass in his memory so that his many friends and former parishioners can attend.

We ask that you keep Fr. McKeever in your prayers at this time, May he rest in peace.

Very Rev Joseph McKeever PE

CURRICULUM VITAE

 Born:                     27 May 1951, Parish of Drumcree

Studied                  St Patrick’s College, Armagh.         1962-70

                             Strawberry Hill, Twickenham.         1970-73

                             St Joseph’s College, Belfast.          1976-79

                             Queen’s University, Belfast.           1983-84

                             St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.       1986-91

Ordained: 30 May 1991, Church of St John the Baptist, Portadown

Appointments

Curate, Holy Redeemer, Dundalk                                                 1991-93

Curate, Dungannon                                                                    1993-99

Curate, Crossmaglen                                                                  1999-06

Parish Priest, Crossmaglen                                                           2006-16

Pastor Emeritus                                                                           2016-Present

Seminarian Liaison                                                                       1998-2016

Date of Death: 23 January 2021

The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference welcomes the encouraging news that a number of vaccines for COVID-19 are at an advanced stage of preparation and are likely to be available for use in the near future.  The Catholic Church recognises that safe and effective vaccination is an essential aspect of the prevention of disease.  We are encouraging Catholics to support a programme of vaccination, not only for their own good, but for the protection of life and the health of those who are vulnerable and for the common good of humanity.

Questions have arisen that human foetal cell-lines, which have their origins in abortions carried out in the past, are used in the development and production of some of the vaccines for COVID-19.

If a more ethically acceptable alternative is not readily available to them, it is morally permissible for Catholics to accept a vaccine which involves the use of foetal cell-lines, especially if the potential risk to life or health is significant, as in the case of a pandemic. Refusal to accept a vaccine could contribute to significant loss of life in the community and especially among those who are most vulnerable.  This reality must inform any judgement of conscience.

We reaffirm the consistent teaching of the Church that abortion is always gravely immoral.  The Church has always made a distinction, however, between formal (deliberate) involvement in an immoral act and material involvement, which may be incidental and remote.  The decision of those who decide to accept vaccines which have had some link with foetal cell-lines in the past does not imply any consent on their part to abortion. 

We note that many of the vaccines currently being developed do not depend for their design or production on foetal cell lines.  Catholics should continue to advocate for the availability of ethically-developed vaccines.  In that way they bear witness that biomedical research should always be conducted in a manner which is consistent with respect for life and for human dignity. 

Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right.  The Church, while respecting intellectual property rights, believes that essential medicines, including vaccines, should be made available on the basis of need rather than on the basis of capacity to pay.  This position is consistent with the TRIPS agreement of the WTO, which permits national governments to arrange for the manufacture of essential pharmaceuticals, for domestic use and for the use of poorer countries, even without the consent of patent owners.

The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference welcomes the encouraging news that a number of vaccines for COVID-19 are at an advanced stage of preparation and are likely to be available for use in the near future.  The Catholic Church recognises that safe and effective vaccination is an essential aspect of the prevention of disease.  We are encouraging Catholics to support a programme of vaccination, not only for their own good, but for the protection of life and the health of those who are vulnerable and for the common good of humanity.

Questions have arisen that human foetal cell-lines, which have their origins in abortions carried out in the past, are used in the development and production of some of the vaccines for COVID-19.

If a more ethically acceptable alternative is not readily available to them, it is morally permissible for Catholics to accept a vaccine which involves the use of foetal cell-lines, especially if the potential risk to life or health is significant, as in the case of a pandemic. Refusal to accept a vaccine could contribute to significant loss of life in the community and especially among those who are most vulnerable.  This reality must inform any judgement of conscience.

We reaffirm the consistent teaching of the Church that abortion is always gravely immoral.  The Church has always made a distinction, however, between formal (deliberate) involvement in an immoral act and material involvement, which may be incidental and remote.  The decision of those who decide to accept vaccines which have had some link with foetal cell-lines in the past does not imply any consent on their part to abortion. 

We note that many of the vaccines currently being developed do not depend for their design or production on foetal cell lines.  Catholics should continue to advocate for the availability of ethically-developed vaccines.  In that way they bear witness that biomedical research should always be conducted in a manner which is consistent with respect for life and for human dignity. 

Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right.  The Church, while respecting intellectual property rights, believes that essential medicines, including vaccines, should be made available on the basis of need rather than on the basis of capacity to pay.  This position is consistent with the TRIPS agreement of the WTO, which permits national governments to arrange for the manufacture of essential pharmaceuticals, for domestic use and for the use of poorer countries, even without the consent of patent owners.

Archbishop Eamon Speaks to RTE Radio’s “This Week” about the Mother and Baby Homes Report.

Earlier today (Sunday 17th January 2021) Archbishop Eamon spoke to RTE Radio’s Justin McCarthy on the “This Week” programme about the Mother and Baby Homes Report that was released on Tuesday  12th January 2021.  

The interview can be accessed by clicking the link in the podcast below.

“Above all we must continue to find ways of reaching out to those whose personal testimonies are central to this Report”  

Archbishop Eamon

I welcome the publication of the Mother & Baby Homes Report.  As a Church leader today, I accept that the Church was clearly part of that culture in which people were frequently stigmatized, judged and rejected. For that, and for the long-lasting hurt and emotional distress that has resulted, I unreservedly apologise to the survivors and to all those who are personally impacted by the realities it uncovers.  Mindful of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which calls us to protect life and dignity and to treat everyone – especially little children and all who are vulnerable  – with love, compassion and mercy, I believe the Church must continue to acknowledge before the Lord and before others its part in sustaining what the Report describes as a “harsh … cold and uncaring atmosphere”.

Although it may be distressing, it is important that all of us spend time in the coming days reflecting on this Report which touches on the personal story and experience of many families in Ireland.  The Commission’s Report helps to further open to the light what was for many years a hidden part of our shared history and it exposes the culture of isolation, secrecy and social ostracizing which faced “unmarried mothers” and their children in this country.

I ask all those who are in positions of leadership in the Church to study this lengthy report carefully and especially to spend time reflecting on the courageous testimonies of the witnesses to the Commission.  Together we must ask “How could this happen?”  We must identify, accept and respond to the broader issues which the Report raises about our past, present and future.

Above all we must continue to find ways of reaching out to those whose personal testimonies are central to this Report.  They have shown determination in bringing to light this dark chapter in the life of Church and society. We owe it to them to take time to study and reflect on the findings and recommendations of the Report, and commit to doing what we can to help and support them.  The Report makes it clear that many are still learning about their personal stories and searching for family members. The rights of all survivors to access personal information about themselves should be fully respected and I again urge the State to ensure that any remaining obstacles to information and tracing should be overcome.

The Commission believes that there may be people with further information about burial places who have not come forward.  I appeal to anyone who can help to do so.  All burial grounds should be identified and appropriately marked so that the deceased and their families will be recognized and never be forgotten.

This Report will hopefully speak not just to our past but will also have lessons for today and for future generations.  As Church, State and wider society we must ensure together that, in the Ireland of today, all children and their mothers feel wanted, welcomed and loved.  We must also continue to ask ourselves where people today might feel similarly rejected, abandoned, forgotten or pushed to the margins.

This report will stir many emotions as it further uncovers disturbing and painful truths about our past.  I commend those who have fought to have this story told and I thank those who have already been supporting survivors through various organisations and providing a platform for their voices to be heard.

Archbishop Eamon Martin 

“Faith and prayer can be a tremendous support to individuals and society during these difficult times”

Statement

Following further briefing today by the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Officer, and in consultation with The Executive Office, we are very concerned at the current serious public health position in which Northern Ireland finds itself: with the extremely high level of transmission of the Covid-19 virus; the continuing escalation of numbers in hospital and intensive care; the number of associated deaths; and, the increasingly unsustainable pressure on our healthcare staff.  The clear message from health officials is that this situation is going to worsen significantly over the coming weeks.

We recognise the efforts of so many in our parishes who have been working to ensure that our gatherings for public worship are as safe as possible and we welcome the continuing engagement between the faith communities and the NI Executive which has led to consensus between us on the importance of people being able to gather in person for worship.  At this time, however, we acknowledge and support the unequivocal message from public health authorities that the movement and gathering of people should be minimised and that as many people as possible stay at home for the sake of health, life and the Common Good.

In light of our ongoing consultations and of the current serious and worsening situation, and in line with clear public health guidance that people should stay at home, we have decided that for a limited period (from midnight on Thursday 7 January until Saturday 6 February 2021, subject to review in late January), the celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgies should take place without the physical presence of the faithful – with the exception of marriage, funeral, baptismal liturgies and drive-in services (subject to regulations).  Arrangements for recording and/or livestreaming, and making individual visits for private prayer are also permissible in accordance with regulations.  We encourage parishes, where possible, to continue to broadcast the celebration of Mass – and other devotions and prayer services – online and on other media, knowing that faith and prayer can be a tremendous support to individuals and society during these difficult times.

We make this decision reluctantly, conscious that not being able to gather for public worship can cause pain for all the faithful, but in the hope that this limited period of sacrifice will be for the protection of life and health and for the greater good of all.  We once more ask for prayers for the sick, the bereaved and all those whose livelihoods have been particularly impacted by the pandemic.  We keep in our prayers all health workers, carers, chaplains and other essential workers.  We welcome the announcement that a similar position is being taken by the leaders of the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland and many other denominations and faith communities in response to the unequivocal message from public health authorities that as many people as possible stay at home at this time.

Most Rev Eamon Martin DD                                              
Archbishop of Armagh & Primate of All-Ireland
Apostolic Administrator of Dromore

Most Rev Noel Treanor DD
Bishop of Down and Connor

Most Rev Donal McKeown DD
Bishop of Derry

Most Rev Larry Duffy DD
Bishop of Clogher

Most Rev Michael Router DD
Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh