Archbishop Eamon Martin, along with Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell and representatives from other bodies met to discuss the Hart recommendations for victims and survivors of institutional abuse. In a statement issued, it was said that a range of issues were discussed, including “progress on redress payments and provision of services for victims and…
Vatican releases programme for papal trip to Iraq Pope Francis said his upcoming trip to Iraq would be an important sign of his concern for the region’s Christians, but also an important opportunity to build fraternity through interreligious dialogue. “In our time, interreligious dialogue is an important component of the encounter between peoples and cultures.…
Recently I received a letter from a woman whose life, in effect, had imploded. Within the course of a few months, her husband divorced her, she lost her job, was forced to move from the house she had lived in for many years, was locked down in her new place by Covid restrictions, and was…
This third lockdown has been particularly challenging for our relationship, not only does every day feel like Groundhog Day but our relationship is beginning to feel like that too. So you’re at the stage now like so many other couples where perhaps doing the weekly date night at home just isn’t cutting it any more.…
The World of Books by the Books Editor Recently a friend of mine asked me what the visitation of the Black Death to Ireland at the end of the 1340s was like. He was wondering how it compared to the present Covid-19 infection. Actually, a very vivid record exists: it was first printed coincidently in…
I asked a friend over the weekend – via a phonecall lest I be accused of flouting rules – if he was planning on giving up “the drink” this Lent as has been his custom for many years. “I think I’ll drink more,” was his joking response. It is a sentiment that will resonate with…
While I knew she had been ill, news of Cork-born soprano Cara O’Sullivan’s death on January 26 – aged 59 – came as a shock. Cara possessed a wonderfully vibrant voice to match her vivacious personality and had a natural artistry in a wide-ranging repertoire from the baroque through the classical and romantic to the…
When it comes to the Church and religious matters it’s hard to find a perspective that’s different, new, unpredictable, fresh or unique. I got all of that on The Leap of Faith (RTÉ Radio One, Friday) when Michael Comyn interviewed Vincent Doyle who supports the children of priests through his initiative Coping International. His book…
Dear Editor, Bishop Tom Deenihan is to be commended for his fine words on the need to get back to public Mass as soon as possible [IC 11/02/2021]. We have been without the nourishment of the Eucharist for so long and it is disappointing that whenever politicians speak of “opening up society” they so rarely…
Coronavirus: Bat scientists find new evidence The BBC reported that coronaviruses related to Sars-CoV-2 may be circulating in bats across many parts of Asia. Scientists have discovered a virus that is a close match to the virus that causes Covid-19 in bats at a sanctuary in Thailand. They predict that similar coronaviruses may be present…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Wendy Grace
Peter Costello
Michael Kelly
Brendan O’Regan