In his own words… “Faith is necessarily ecclesial; it is processed from within the body of Christ as a concrete communion of believers.” “Today more than ever, we need to be reminded of this bond between faith and truth, given the crisis of truth in our age.” “The light of faith is unique, since it…
Month: March 2015
A Pontiff of different priorities
Pope Francis challenges each one of us to cast away our fear, writes Nuala O’Loan
The Pope’s reform agenda
With his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis finally made his real debut as papal author. The Pope had already published an encyclical, however, in the opening paragraphs of Lumen Fidei, he explained that the text was essentially the work of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, to whose words Pope…
Less doctrinal emphasis does not equate to radical change
It’s clear Pope Francis wants the teachings of the Church applied with mercy, writes David Quinn
Francis the globetrotter
Pope Francis has become an active globetrotter over the past two years despite a perceived initial aversion to continuing the tradition of papal travel initiated by John Paul II and continued by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI. During 2013, Francis made just one journey abroad, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for World Youth Day. He stepped…
Pope Francis’ free-wheeling media style
Although he doesn’t mean to, it’s the Pope’s willingness to offend that makes him so authentic, writes Cathal Barry
Where does Pope Francis stand on same-sex marriage?
The Irish Catholic has asked an interdisciplinary team, which includes Prof. Eamonn Conway and Dr Rik Van Nieuwenhove, theologians at Mary Immaculate College University of Limerick, and Mr Patrick Treacy SC of Integritas, to consider and respond to the difficult questions we all face when deciding how to vote in the referendum.
True faith is not a casual diversion
Questioning the borders we place on our faith can lead to growth, Cardinal Peter Turkson tells Greg Daly
This year’s synod will mark another revolution moment
There won’t be any change to core Church teaching, but the Pope wants a radical reform of approach and debate, writes Michael Kelly
Fresh light on Fr Bergoglio
Pope Francis: Life and Revolution, by Elisabetta Piqué foreword by Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley OFM Cap. (Darton, Longman & Todd, £9.99)

Courtney McGrail
Nuala O’Loan
David Quinn
Cathal Barry
Greg Daly
Michael Kelly
Peter Costello