Dear Editor, The killing of Fr Jacques Hamel in Normandy, during a Mass was a shocking act of violence by two young men of immigrant parents raised in France. But despite the intentions of those who helped to radicalise these young men and to sow the seeds of divisions to promote their own warped agenda, the presence of…
Irish Church should resolve its own problems
Dear Editor, I read with dismay and deep sadness of the changes afoot within the Dublin diocese for future Catholic seminarians to receive their formation in Rome instead of the national seminary in Maynooth. While one should not doubt Archbishop Martin’s better appreciation of such matters, it is most regrettable that the Catholic hierarchy could not address issues internally.…
Finding a family in Uganda
Sr Felicia Matola reflects on her lifetime commitment to serving in Africa with Rachel Beard
Can we say what we like, when we like?
Studies Summer 2016. Special Issue: Freedom of Speech. How Far Can You Go? (Messenger Publications, €10.00)
Plunkett – an enigmatic revolutionary
Enigmas of Sacrifice: A critique of Joseph M. Plunkett and the Dublin insurrection of 1916 by W.J. McCormack (Michigan State University Press, €20.16 pb / €43.91hb)
Beyond Catholicism 101?
“The excitement of discovering the intellectual wealth of the Faith has been replaced by a frustration with Catholicism”, writes Maolsheachlann Ó Ceallaigh
Recognising our common humanity
Dear Editor, Last Thursday, I happened to hear Ray D’Arcy interview Sinead McBreen on his afternoon radio show on Radio One. While it was a pleasant surprise to hear Ray giving voice to the pro-life side of the abortion debate, I was disappointed at how the discussion played out. By the end of the interview…
An establishment conspiracy on the unborn
Dear Editor, It’s clear now that the purpose of the proposed ‘Citizens’ Assembly’, to be chosen by a polling company, is to remove the protections of the Eighth Amendment for the unborn. This unelected, unnecessary ‘assembly’ is a political fig-leaf, designed to give political cover to politicians who desire the destruction of Ireland’s constitutional protections…
Justice demands that Catholic priests be paid centrally
Dear Editor, Your coverage of clerical remuneration (IC 18/07/2016) was of great interest to many of your readers. What trade union would accept a situation where members with equal experience and qualifications were on 26 different pay scales? Indeed from any cursory reading of the New Testament it is clear that Jesus treated all his…
Faith and values under attack by Islamic State
Dear Editor, As awful the act that claimed the life of the martyr Fr Jacques Hamel in France must be the recognition that Christian persecution has finally been visited (returned) to Europe in the most savage of fashions. That which our Christian brothers and sisters have endured in Iraq, Syria, and Nigeria among other nations…









