‘Better to light a candle than curse the darkness’ Dear Editor, Fr Donal Dorr’s encouraging letter of June 18 urging the forthcoming synodal gathering to look outwards as well as inwards prompts the thought: what a wonderful life-enhancing place the Irish Church could be if we were all to fully embrace synodality in the manner…
We cannot forget the ecumenical dimension of our synodal dialogue, says Cardinal Mario Grech For almost five years we have reflected on and worked on synodality. Much has been accomplished, and much has matured in the heart of the Church. Indeed, never before has a synodal process generated such momentum, such gravitas. One need only…
This winter in Ukraine has been a special challenge for everyone who studies and teaches. This includes us, the students of the Institute of Theological Sciences of the Immaculate Virgin Mary in the town of Horodok, Khmelnytskyi region. Prolonged power outages—sometimes up to 18 hours a day—brought cold temperatures indoors, heating difficulties, and water supply…
Various expert reports suggest that around 2% of the world’s population is transgender (trans). In other words, the number of people feeling that their gender identity does not align with their biological sex is very small. This condition is also known as gender dysphoria. In the worlds of medicine and psychotherapy, there is deep disagreement…
The incoming archbishop of New York said on February 5 that he plans to emphasise the importance of evangelising as he takes charge of one of the biggest US archdioceses. “How do we actually be disciples, who do we make disciples?” Archbishop Ronald Hicks said during a news conference at St Patrick’s Cathedral, where his…
Jesuit and abuse expert Hans Zollner sees the sexual abuse of nuns as “a burning issue.” At a press conference held by the Catholic charity Missio Aachen on Friday, Zollner said that, unlike ten years ago, the issue can now be discussed openly in many countries. Missio has contributed to ensuring that today, the discussion…
Advocates and civic officials are warning of the high numbers of donated organs from assisted suicide victims in Canada, arguing that organ donation programs for suicidal individuals could lead to additional pressure for such patients to decide to end their lives by assisted suicide. Data have shown consistently high numbers of organ donations in Canada…
Irish bishops formally launched a new monstrance at a special prayer gathering at the International Eucharistic and Marian shrine in Knock, Co. Mayo. Following the recent launch, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore, who chairs the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, highlighted the central role of prayer in nurturing vocations: “The Holy Father Pope Leo…
In week three of his Dei Verbum catechesis, Pope Leo XIV affirms that Sacred Scripture and tradition cannot be independent from one another. Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome! Continuing our reading of the Conciliar Constitution Dei Verbum on Divine Revelation, today we will reflect on the relationship between Sacred Scripture and…
As the Catholic Church prepares to join Christians around the world in commemorating the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the theme chosen also reflects Pope Leo XIV’s hope of unified humanity in an increasingly individualistic world. “There is one body and one Spirit,” drawn from St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, is the…