There are still people everywhere who believe there’s no longer any issue regarding the status of women. Widespread is the belief that today, at least in democratic countries, women enjoy full equality with men. As well, for many, feminism is a bad word, politically charged, representing a radical liberal ideology whose agenda is at odds…
The Irish Difference: A Tumultuous History of Ireland’s Breakup With Britain by Fergal Tobin (Atlantic Books, £18.99/€22.99) This book grew out of the author’s exasperation at how ignorance of Ireland was an important factor in the pro-Brexit vote, especially in England as distinct from the other parts of the United Kingdom. The “fabled British elite…should…
Personal profile When Msgr Basil O’Sullivan entered All Hallows in September 1950, along with 33 other young men, he did so out of desire to be of service to the global Church. And since his ordination in 1956, he has spent his life ministering to the people of Scotland, a country where he gave and…
The Church is doing gay Catholics a disservice by watering down teaching on homosexuality, hears Jason Osborne The term ‘LGBT’ is reductionist and if the Church bends to change its teaching on the matter, “the entire edifice of its teaching on sexuality collapses”. So says John (not his real name), a Catholic who prefers to…
Sweet Treats This dessert is a bit of a twist on the classic Victoria Sponge. In my book, lemon is the king of summer flavour – and raspberry the Queen, which is why I have topped my sponge with raspberries. The perfect zestiness and sweetness of lemon curd is paired with a rich butter sponge…
Recently I visited the exhibition relating to St Colmcille (aka St Columba) in the National Museum. It was modest enough but well-presented and informative. So, I was already in the zone for Colmcille – An Naomh Dána (TG4, Thursday). It was certainly interesting, but hard to figure out what was historical and what elements were…
Opera and the organ are currently dominant features on the musical landscape. The former comes mainly through Irish National Opera (INO) with its production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda having a successful run in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre and other centres before Wexford and Limerick draw it to a close. With Sinead Campbell-Wallace in the title role,…
Choral Festival returns to St Patrick’s Cathedral After a two-year postponement due to the worldwide pandemic, the fifth Dublin Choral Festival takes place this year on Saturday June 18, at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin at 8 pm. The theme is ‘Faith, Love, Song and Light’ and features a programme of classical, contemporary, and Celtic…
Pope urges Sicilian priests to be moral guides but to ‘drop the lace’ Pope Francis told priests and bishops from the Italian island of Sicily June 9 to be strong moral guides, and to update their art and vestments in conformity with Church reforms. “In Sicily, people still look to priests as spiritual and moral…
The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ is a celebration of the presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist. It is an astounding belief. We would not dare to hold this belief except that it is based on the very words of Jesus himself. “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Ruadhán Jones
Brendan O’Regan