Parishes and lay associations can be a leaven for each other, writes Prof. Susan Timoney “To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body.” Rather than a contemporary summary of the Second Vatican Council’s idea of the renewal of the vocation of…
A copy of The Irish Catholic was among the gifts laid on the coffin of Teresa McCallan, described as a devoted reader by one of her daughters. “The same paper had to be got every week and now I’ve carried on the tradition,” Margaret Moxon, daughter of Mrs McCallan, told The Irish Catholic. “I’d only…
There is now a deep hunger for a political party which truly represents ordinary Irish people. The Rural Independents are about to embrace urban Ireland and launch a new national political party with that very aim in mind. It could yet prove remarkably popular. After all, voters who hold to Ireland’s traditional values and way…
There are, to my mind, two great Jane Austen adaptations. One, the 1990s miniseries of Pride and Prejudice, I think many will know already and it’s available on Netflix. The second adaptation is less well known, a 1995 TV film version of Persuasion, Jane Austen’s last novel. It’s a wonderful film, as different from the…
May 20 the Church celebrates Saint Bernardine of Siena, a Franciscan theologian and preacher renowned for his great eloquence, who went to great lengths to revive and strengthen Italy’s faith during the 15th Century. Born in 1380 to a noble family, Bernardine Albizeschi, as with so many of the saints, and as with so many…
Any serious and honest assessment must contend with the profound ethical costs that are involved in new genetic technologies, writes David Mullins Very many of the debates we have regarding the application of genetic technologies to embryonic human life revolve around conflicts between potential and promise, perils and pitfalls. A recent case in point can…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has criticised as “reckless” Government inaction when it comes to protecting children from often-violent pornography. This comes following the publication of a study earlier this week showing the link between children watching pornography and sexual violence. Speaking on the issue, the Meath West TD said that pornography is “distorting children’s understanding…
A high-level Vatican meeting hopes to end protests and brawls over liturgy changes in India, writes Ruadhán Jones When we describe fiesty debate over liturgical practices as ‘the liturgy wars’, we tend to mean a battle of words. But in one of the Church’s 23 self-governing Eastern Churches – the Syro-Malabar Church – protests over…
A new film from EWTN Ireland telling the story of a Catholic priest in hiding during the 16th and 17th centuries has received a blessing from Pope Francis. The film, Faith of Our Fathers, was shown at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome earlier this month and was well received by viewers…
Lisa Hendey Lately I note a trend on social media, among my peers of a certain age. Amid the cute grandbaby pictures at Christmas there were pleas for intercessory prayer for their aging parents. Going home for the holidays can be a real wakeup call as we realise that – seemingly overnight – our…
Ruadhán Jones