New archbishop in New York seems an inspiring man

This week’s column in The Kerryman newspaper.

Michael Commane

There is not a village or town across the land that does not have someone belonging to them living in the United States. That’s why I was surprised when I read or saw nothing about the new Catholic archbishop of New York, Ronald Hicks.

His appointment by Pope Leo is another giveaway of how the pope is thinking.

A bishop is required to offer his resignation to the pope when he reaches the age of 75; it’s custom and practice that the man stays on for some time after that. But in the case of New York, Pope Leo did not delay in accepting Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s letter, and appointing Ronald Hicks as his successor. 

Cardinal Dolan did no favours for the Irish Catholic Church when he visited here in 2011 to investigate seminaries and the state of the church following the abuse scandals. Yes, he appears to be a palsy-walsy type of person, but there obviously is a side to him that is deeply clerical in nature.

The new archbishop in New York is 58, he’s from Chicago, the same town as Pope Leo and was for a short time an auxiliary bishop in his home town, where Cardinal Blase Cupich is archbishop. 

Cupich is, in my humble opinion, America’s leading church man. Last week he criticised the Trump administration for its objectionable racist comments on Michelle and Barack Obama. 

He speaks out on social justice issues when often there’s not a word from his fellow US bishops. Hicks is clearly from the Cupich school.

His installation Mass as archbishop in St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on Saturday, February 7 was a spectacle of prayer, reverence, humanity and sacredness.

Hicks’ words were inspiring, diplomatic too and he also spoke in Spanish, which was ironic as Donald Trump criticised the decision to have Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny perform at the Super Bowl the next day. He said the Spanish-language performance was ‘a slap in the face to our country’. 

At the New York Mass the choir, the music sung, would lift one’s heart, almost force one to pray. The clapping, flowers, relatives, friends, dignitaries in the sanctuary, humour, joy, in other words, normal human behaviour was something to behold. And yet, all done with great reverence and dignity and faith too.

I imagine Hicks is somewhat of an outsider among the American episcopacy, but remember he’s Leo’s man.

Then think what happens in so many dioceses in Ireland. Only recently I heard of someone who was told they could not bring a wreath to a funeral Mass. 

Who made that rule and why? It makes no liturgical sense.

On the website of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois there’s a letter from diocesan bishop Paul Connell about guidelines for the use of churches for reposing of remains. 

It’s far too long, turgid and the bishop seems to be saying there are different liturgical guidelines for the burial of priests and bishops as there are for the ‘lay folk’, for example not leaving a coffin open in church.

I pity poor Leo but he’s giving me great hope. Watching that Mass in New York was an inspiring moment. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Those forgotten Leap cards are worth a fortune - €8.5m

A lot of cash lying on unused leap cards. Approximately €8.5 million is piling up on unused Leap cards that have not been used for five years or longer.

Why can't the TFI invest that money? Surely it’s possible to make some money on those dormant cards.

Bannon courted Epstein to ‘take down’ Pope Francis

According to the latest released Epstein files, former White House adviser to President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, discussed strategies with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein how to take down Pope Francis.

Bannon and his Catholic right wing associates cannot be one bit happy with Pope Leo.

Below is a link to the CNN report of the Bannon Epstein correspondence.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/14/world/bannon-epstein-take-down-pope-francis-latam-intl?cid=android_app

 

Cutting, tidying, cleaning up along River Dodder all for free

I met an amazing man yesterday.

Over the last number of weeks cycling along the Dodder between Glassons Bridge, beside the Dropping Well pub and restaurant, and Orwell Park I’ve noticed a man cut away branches and overgrowth along the stone wall. He wore no Dublin City Council overalls. I thought he may have been employed by the Dropping Well, but maybe not as he had worked his way away from the pub.

Again yesterday he was hard at work. Curious, I got off my bicycle and interrogated him. To my disbelief he told me he lived nearby and had over the last number of months been cutting, tidying and cleaning up along the bank of the River Dodder.

Chris Ennis is 77, worked as a meter reader for ESB and took on this job for the common good.

Is Dublin City Council aware of the great work he is doing for the people of Dublin? Probably not. Would it be possible, in the times we live, that they might prohibit him from doing such work.

The man deserves special praise/recognition from DCC.

Thank you Mr Ennis.

Pope Leo invites us to abstain from words of hatred

From Vatican News

“I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from 

words that offend and hurt our neighbour.”

Pope Leo XIV made that invitation at the heart of his message 

for Lent 2026, which was released on Friday.

As Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, the Pope said 

this liturgical season offers Christians an opportunity to place the mystery of God back at the centre of our lives.

Every journey of conversion, he said, begins by letting God’s 

word touch our hearts, so that we may renew our commitment to follow Christ in the mystery of His saving passion, death, and resurrection.

Pope Leo focused on the importance of listening to God and to 

those around us, allowing ourselves to enter into authentic relationships.

“In the midst of the many voices present in our personal lives 

and in society,” he said, “Sacred Scripture helps us to 

recognise and respond to the cry of those who are anguished and suffering.”

Christians, said the Pope, can cultivate inner openness to 

listening, as God does, by growing in awareness that the 

poor challenge our lives and economic systems, as well as 

the Church.

Pope Leo XIV then turned to how fasting helps open us to 

the deep desire for justice, which he said frees us from 

complacency.

“Precisely because it involves the body, fasting makes it 

easier to recognize what we ‘hunger’ for and what we 

deem necessary for our sustenance,” he said. “Moreover, 

it helps us to identify and order our ‘appetites,’ keeping 

our hunger and thirst for justice alive”.

Fasting, he added, teaches us to govern our desire by 

purifying, freeing, and expanding it, in order to direct our 

desire toward  God and good deeds.

However, we must fast in faith, humility, and communion 

with the Lord, and not in a way that leads to pride, 

said the Pope, adding that other forms of self-denial also 

lead to a more sober lifestyle.

Pope Leo then pointed to an under-appreciated form 

of  abstinence, which is refraining from hurtful words.

“Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding 

harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander 

and speaking ill of  those who are not present and cannot 

defend themselves,” he said. “Instead, let us strive to 

measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our 

families, among our friends, at work, on social media, 

in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities.”

If we do so, we will let words of hatred “give way to words of 

hope and peace.”

Pope Leo went on to emphasise the communal aspect of 

listening and fasting, which can be lived out in our 

parishes, families, and religious communities.

By listening to the cry of the poor and setting our 

hearts on a path of conversion to Christ, we train our 

conscience and improve the quality of our lives and 

relationships, he said.

“It means allowing ourselves to be challenged by reality 

and recognising what truly guides our desires—both within 

our ecclesial communities and as regards humanity’s thirst for 

justice  and reconciliation.”

Pope Leo XIV concluded his 2026 Lenten Message with a 

call for Christian communities to become places where 

those who suffer find welcome.

Listen to our report

Bishop’s guidelines on reposing of remains

Below are guidelines for the use of churches for reposing of remains issued by the bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Paul Connell.

No need for comment. Maybe just one; are priests and bishops’ coffins not left open?

 

In recent months a practice has developed in some parishes around the use of churches for the Reposing of the Remains of those who have died. This is a practice that usually was held in the home, or in recent years in a funeral home, where family and friends could gather, offer sympathy and support.

Some parishes have asked for guidance on the matter, that while every community wishes to support a family at the time of a funeral, others have questioned if a church is the best place for reposing of remains to occur. In the interests of bereaved families in particular, I would like therefore to provide clarity on this issue.

In looking at the instruction around the nature of a Christian Burial it is clear that the tradition of three stations and two processional routes are at the heart of the ritual, as celebrated over the years. Those three places being; the home, the church, and the place of committal. Each hold their particular meaning that the Christian believes in the understanding of death itself. There is the personal element in the home, the community prayer in the church, and the placing in the care of God in the committal. 

Between each of these there is a procession, which highlights that each of our lives is a pilgrimage to eternal rest. None of these are purely functional, but hold significance, both in the comfort that they bring and in the faith that they profess.

In recent years the station at the home has, quite often taken place in a funeral home, and then from there to the church, and place of committal. However, the use of a church in a manner that makes it like a funeral home breaks this practice and is not faithful to the tradition that we hold.

The element that takes place in the church should always be in the context of faith and worship, as this is the nature and purpose of each church. It is a sign and symbol of the Lord's presence in the community, and the place where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. This point is important for all those who use a church outside the celebration of the liturgy.

I am directing that in parishes where the practice of remains reposing in the church has not begun, that these parishes do not introduce the practice.

For parishes where it has occurred, I am directing that the practice be discontinued as and from 9 February 2026, and I am requesting the parish communities involved to look at other possibilities within the area for hosting this station of the funeral rites. The use of Parish halls or other parish facilities is perfectly in order .

 

 

In a parish church the Reception of Remains to a church should follow the Liturgy designed for this station and following this the community should come forward to offer their condolences. It is imperative that those attending always acknowledge that the Blessed Sacrament is present and that this is a sacred place of worship. Hence the importance that when the remains are placed in front of the Altar, the coffin remains closed.

The way we celebrate the funeral rituals is an important element both in our faith and in our culture. I am requesting that these guidelines be followed, so as to ensure the dignity and respect for both those who have died and the place of worship.

In summary

The churches within the diocese are not to be used for the Reposing of Remains.

 

When the remains of a member of the faithful are received at the church, the appropriate liturgical text provided in the Funeral Ritual should be used.

When the remains are received in the church, placed before the altar, and kept overnight, the coffin should always be closed.

Funeral Directors

Funeral Directors play a vital role for families who have been bereaved. The support and direction they offer families is greatly appreciated by all involved. It is important that they keep in close contact with the priest conducting the funeral liturgy and that they are available to give guidance and direction to families and mourners both inside and outside the church in consultation with the priest concerned.

There is no question that the demand for reposing in churches has come about not just because there is a lack of venue available but also because of the perceived high cost of the use of a funeral home by comparison. Many families experience financial pressure in relation to funerals. 

I respectfully request funeral directors to be conscious of this and accordingly to continue to offer their facilities at reasonable rates to bereaved families, and also to other funeral directors who may not have a funeral home, in a spirit of co-operation and good will.

We’ve much to learn from Archbishop Ronald Hicks

This blog has already brought attention to the Mass of installation of the new archbishop of Ronald Hicks in St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York.
Great music, clapping, flowers, relatives, friends, dignitaries in the sanctuary, humour, joy. In other words, normal human behaviour. And yet, all done with great reverence and dignity and faith too.

https://youtu.be/NkigRQWAuSI?si=3eUvzcQYtYwUJR4m

Letting people know we appreciate them means so much

The week’s column in The Kerryman newspaper.

Michael Commane

It was Oscar Wilde who said sarcasm is the lowest form of wit; you could stretch it and add cynicism. 

No doubt people who tend to be cynical look at life with a jaundiced eye. We are all children of our environment. Every moment of those nine months in our mother’s womb we are developing and accustoming ourselves to our environment.

There are occasions when I can be cynical but I think I can argue there is justification for such an attitude.

Most times when I hear PR people talk about how open, caring and transparent their organisation is I’m inclined to smile, maybe just a little, but yes, I wonder how accurate or truthful are their words.

Watching Caroline Leavitt, President Trump’s press officer, speaking about the killing in Minneapolis I did wonder did the woman really believe what she was saying.

But no doubt it’s the job of PR people to protect their organisations and, indeed, their jobs.

Some weeks ago I wrote a column about the inspiring behaviour of a Luas tram ticket checker. In mid- January I sent the piece to Luas. So far no acknowledgment. I’ve met the checker many times since and he tells me the company has never mentioned it to him.

I’m always saying it’s the little things that say so much about us; they highlight our qualities but they also catch us out when our behaviour is mean or selfish.

Organisations and companies can easily spend large sums of cash on PR and indeed HR but far too often their main purpose is to protect the name of the organisation and its brand.

The same applies to the churches. All the talk that we hear today about safeguarding procedures; would all that be taking place had they not been caught out for their appalling behaviour? 

Only last week at an Irish Rail ticket office I got chatting to the person behind the desk. Within minutes it was clear that he was angry with the company; he felt alienated and forgotten. 

Why? Has anyone thought of sitting down and talking to him about his job; what he finds good about it and what annoys him? Within two minutes of talking to him I realised he was an unhappy punter. 

Of course there are people who are never going to be pleased, but far too often those on the front line, those who are not being paid big salaries can so easily be forgotten.

The late Fergal Quinn, who founded the Superquinn supermarket chain, was famous for his belief that the customer was king/queen. He also treated all his staff with dignity. Why can’t organisations, churches, corporations realise their staff, all their staff, are queens and kings.

You might say it’s the way of the world; it doesn’t have to be.

The Gospels regularly tell us to be inclusive in our attitude. It makes great sense to take heed of that sentiment.

There’s far too much ‘them and us’ in society, maybe that’s why right now there is such unease in the world.

Good management means taking care of staff, listening to them, praising them and taking them seriously. It’s good business too, and pays in the long run.