The worlds of religion and politics are often dominated by major figures, characters and leaders with big personalities – some of them will feature here. And so it was that Pope Francis was one of those giants that figured large in the media last week. Watching ITV News last Wednesday I was conscious, during Ellie…
For the last couple weeks, the Sunday scriptures have given us a healthy dose of what is commonly called ‘The Sermon on the Plain’ – Luke’s version of the more famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’ found in Matthew’s Gospel. The lessons have been familiar – but strikingly direct. What we hear is Jesus speaking directly…
Have you ever seen a convent of nuns that comprises a former beauty queen, a drug dealer whose life was – literally – saved by the Bible, a nun who wears a tattoo, one who swears, one who jokes about the decapitation of John the Baptist, one who sways her hips as she dances to…
Fr Gerry Clarke SJ introduces Joanne Savage to members of the UU Belfast Chaplaincy lunch where students of all faiths and none find spiritual sustenance Best known for his directorship role at the Belfast Jesuit Centre, Fr Gerry Clarke is also a half-time chaplain at the University of Ulster’s bespoke new Belfast campus, his role…
St Katharine Drexel was born in Philadelphia on November 26, 1858, the second daughter of wealthy banker Francis Anthony Drexel and his wife, Hannah Langstroth. Her mother passed away shortly after Katharine’s birth, and her father remarried Emma Bouvier in 1860. Katharine and her sister Louisa received an exceptional education through private tutors and travelled…
As US President Donald Trump backs Russia in its war against Ukraine, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is visiting the United States. Speaking on his social media platform Truth Social, Mr Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator.” “He refuses to have elections. He’s low in the real Ukrainian…
Cardinal Pietro Parolin has praised authorities in Burkina Faso for their effort to regain control of the country, which has suffered attacks by Islamist terrorism. The Vatican’s Secretary of State was speaking last week after discussions with the country’s Transitional Leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The Vatican’s top diplomat met with Mr Traoré marking 125 years…
I recently attended the baptism of my first grandchild, 3-month-old Charlotte. I must say, Charlotte is adorable. So, with that impartial assessment out of the way, I offer some reflections that Charlotte’s baptism brought to mind. My parents were in a huge hurry to baptise us. It was the before the Second Vatican Council, when…
A Tract for Our Times: A Retrospective on Joe Lee’s Ireland 1919-1985, editor Miriam Nyhan Grey, with contribution by eight others. (Glucksman Ireland House, NYU / UCD Press, US$50.00 / €40.00) Historically minded readers should not be alarmed by the title to this festschrift: it seems to be intended as merely a fancy piece of styling,…
In 1915 the United States was passing through a period of recollection marking the 50th anniversary of the end of Civil War, also known, depending on one’s point of view as ‘The Great Rebellion’ or ‘The War Between the States’, which had ended with the surrender of the Confederate leader General Lee at Appomattox Court…
Brendan O’Regan
Aubrey Malone
Renata Milán Morales
Peter Costello