Mindful Living Dr Noel Keating Meditation is the practice of being still in body and mind. When practiced from a secular perspective – for example, in the world of medicine – the intention is often focused on practical benefits for the individual who has taken up the practice. Meditation is enormously beneficial and, over…
Outrage over R-rating for pro-life movie
Filmmakers of a new movie which depicts the reality of abortion in America have expressed outrage over the decision that it be R-rated. Anti-abortion movie, Unplanned, which is set for a March 29 release received an R-rating from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This would be the first R-rated movie from distributor Pure…
Francis prays for Bangladeshi fire victims
Pope Francis has offered his solidarity and prayers to victims of a massive fire in the centre of the Bangladeshi capital, which has reportedly claimed well over 70 lives, at time of writing. “His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the loss of life and of the injuries caused by the conflagration in the…
Christian theology and bearing witness could help eating disorder sufferers
Christian communities and the theology of bearing witness may help those struggling with eating disorders, an Irish academic has said. With Eating Disorder Awareness Week taking place from February 25 to March 3, Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics in Trinity’s Loyola Institute Jacob Erickson said: “Quite oftentimes with eating disorders there’s so much stigma and…
Growth emerges from crisis, priest tells Church
The Catholic Church should not be afraid of crisis; through crisis, it will grow and spring new life, according to Dominican Fr Timothy Radcliffe. “If you look at human beings, we grow up through crisis,” said the 73-year-old English theologian. “It’s our way. And so, we believe, I believe, it’s the fate of the Church…we…
New paths to higher things – as seen by a scientist
Ways to go Beyond and why they Work by Rupert Sheldrake (Coronet, £20.00/€23.00) Christopher Moriarty In his preface, Rupert Sheldrake introduces himself as a research worker who is making a substantial contribution to the human knowledge that he calls “mundane”. He means the facts relating to our material world, which can be ascertained by…
An attitude of understanding
The Notebook Fr Bernard Healy “There are hundreds of churches in Rome, why on earth would you want to visit a Mormon temple?” A fair question from a fellow-priest, but the consecration of a Mormon temple on the outskirts of Rome offered a rare opportunity, because once a temple is consecrated, only Mormons in…
In Brief
Penal Times bishop voted Laois ‘all time great’ An 18th-Century bishop has been voted the greatest Laois person of all time. Bishop Daniel Delany won 89% of the final vote in the Leinster Express poll. Born in 1747, Fr Delaney trained for the priesthood in France where he was ordained in 1770. Returning to Ireland in 1776, he began Sunday schools the…
Family News and Events
You’d be mad not to trad! For those in the family who like dance and music, check out the Kilkenny Tradfast which will see some of the country’s world-famous acts taking to the stage while also showcasing the best of local talent in the city’s theatres, pubs and public spaces. The highlights include the first…
Archbishop needs to be listened to
Dear Editor, Archbishop Eamon Martin’s appeal that the issue of abuse not be treated as a political football within the Church (IC 21/2/2019) is a powerful and wise call, and one that urgently needs to be heard. Too often over recent decades have advocates of married and women priests treated the abuse crisis as an…










