Pope Francis posed Jesus’ profound question “Do you believe this?” to Christians worldwide during an ecumenical vespers service Saturday evening as momentum builds for Catholics and Orthodox to consider celebrating Easter on the same date in this historic anniversary year. Speaking at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls at the conclusion of the…
Pope Francis has established himself as the most trusted public figure in Italy, according to a recent survey conducted by the Demopolis National Research Institute that analyses trends in Italian society. More than 3,000 Italians participated in the survey carried out in January, expressing their opinion on the challenges facing the Catholic Church in the country, their…
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ (DEI) is one of the great catch-cries of our time, and President Donald Trump now has it firmly in his cross-hairs. DEI policies have become extremely widespread and are to be found in businesses, the public sector, universities, and even the military. To some extent, ‘DEI’ has a Christian impulse behind…
Storm Éowyn left many households without power, water and heat around the island, but the difficulties became an opportunity for the community to unite and support each other. Fr Diarmuid Hogan, Communications Officer for Galway Diocese said that some parishes in the diocese are opening their doors to providing phone-charging, toilets and tea-making facilities. “Across…
The First World War Centenary Roll of Honour and Essays, edited by Ronan McGreevy and Emer Purcell, associate editor Tom Burnell, (National University of Ireland / Four Courts Press, €30.00 / £24.95) This is an important book, but of the kind that will be important to read not as a narrative, but to use for research…
On April 2023 I was worried about my aunt. She was the most difficult thing about me being away. She was ninety-two, never married, was in a nursing home for nearly six years and I was minding her house as best I could. She had a beautiful nature, when I’d talk about Covid and how…
A Vanishing World: The Irish Country House Photographs of Father Browne edited by Robert O’Byrne, (Messenger Publications, €25.00 / £17.99) This is the latest album of images to be culled from the astonishing Fr Francis Browne Collections; it is also by far the best. The images, derived directly from the digitalised negatives, are crisp and…
More than 5,000 students, families, and other pro-life Catholics packed into the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, for a vigil service last Thursday on the evening before the national March for Life. Attendees filled the pews in the upper church, which is designed to hold about 3,500 people. They crammed into…
Dear Editor, The lack of support for parents who wish to stay at home with their children has, and continues to be, something the Irish Government chooses to ignore. The omission of such supports in the Government’s programme is a glaring oversight and reflects a troubling “ideological blind spot” that fails to recognise the vital…
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) last Sunday argued that its long-standing refugee program is a “work of mercy” after Vice President JD Vance criticised the bishops’ positions on immigration issues. Vance had made the remarks during an interview on Sunday with Margaret Brennan on CBS News’ “Face the Nation”. Brennan had asked Vance,…
David Quinn
Renata Steffens
Peter Costello
Brandon Scott