A homily has the power to inspire and evangelise, writes Susan Gately The Pope recounts that a priest told him once, that on a visit home, his father said gleefully: “You know, I’m happy, because my friends and I have found a church where there is Mass with no sermon!” The anecdote was part…
100 years on… This paper almost wholly glossed over the end of the home rule party, writes Gabriel Doherty Perhaps the most telling aspect of the judgement of The Irish Catholic on the outcome of the 1918 General Election, as revealed in its edition of January 4, 1919, was that the verdict of the…
State Papers: Secrets of the powers that be Peter Costello reports from the National Archives of Ireland on the release under the 30-year rule of confidential state files from 1988 On Wednesday (January 2) the National Archive made available to the public under the 30-year-rule State files from various government departments from 1986 and…
Ireland needs to step up to the plate in raising awareness and fighting against the global persecution of Christians, an Irish human rights organisation has said. Church in Chains, a charity which encourages prayer and action in support of persecuted Christians worldwide, told The Irish Catholic that millions of Christians face persecution yearly and that the Irish…
Ireland’s welcome to immigrants – from the EU and elsewhere – is admirable, and, at an anecdotal level, I have heard plenty of praise around the country about such young people who come to Ireland to work. The catering and hotel trade, I’ve often heard it said, just couldn’t function without them. I even asked…
It’s harder than ever to speak out against unfair criticism of the Church, writes David Quinn A few days before Christmas I posted a Tweet which pointed out that I often come across people these days who find it hard to be open about their Catholic faith both in the workplace and even sometimes in…
State Papers: Secrets of the powers that be Republican legend lingered on despite firm denial by the Vatican in 1933 That Pope Benedict XV, in a private interview with Count George Plunkett in the middle of April 1916, imparted his Apostolic Blessing to the men and arms of the Irish Republic two weeks before…
Bishop Brendan Leahy has criticised the triumphalism of pro-abortion campaigners as laws come into force providing wide access to terminations. In an end of year message, the Bishop of Limerick criticised those who have been celebrating legislation that will lead to the deaths of many Irish unborn children. “A large percentage of those who voted…
The View I always like to keep my Christmas decorations up until the feast of the Epiphany. The 12 days of Christmas are a very important time, and indeed in many countries gifts are not exchanged until January 6 – recognition of the fact that we commemorate on this day the arrival of the three…
State Papers: Echoes of the past from the archives On the 26 July 1975, Msgr Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Albás, Marquis of Peralta, the founder of Opus Dei, died in Rome. At once there began a movement to have his unique holiness recognised, and the desire to see him canonised was expressed by…
Susan Gately
Colm Fitzpatrick
Mary Kenny
David Quinn
Nuala O’Loan