St Patrick’s Day dominated last week and it has been the second Covid version – never thought that would happen! It was also the one-year anniversary of weekday Masses on the RTÉ News Now channel, as Fr Michael Toomey pointed out last Friday when saying Mass from Ardfinnan. This has been a brilliant service that…

On the one-year anniversary of the Covid-19 outbreak in Ireland, it wasn’t surprising that the issue of the lockdown and religious practice featured prominently in the media last week, especially considering the Catholic Bishops’ statement on religious worship which put this back more prominently on the agenda. David Quinn discussed the matter on Today with…

I can understand people getting upset about ill-treatment of animals, and I doubt that anyone who is cruel to animals would be kind to the human beings in their lives. However, I do think the reaction to the picture of trainer Gordon Elliott sitting on a dead horse two years ago has been excessive. Sports Minister…

For the Catholic Church there’s a pressing need for role models that will appeal to young people. These role models don’t have to be young but it helps. I Am With You – A documentary about Carlo Acutis (EWTN, Saturday) gave us one such example. Carlo was beatified last year, mid pandemic, and so, perhaps…

There are so many hot button issues out there, so many battles in the culture wars, so many threats to democracy, it can all get a little head wrecking. It’s welcome then to get a debate that’s calm and reasoned, like the discussion on free speech with our own David Quinn and Nathan Young, deputy…

When it comes to the Church and religious matters it’s hard to find a perspective that’s different, new, unpredictable, fresh or unique. I got all of that on The Leap of Faith (RTÉ Radio One, Friday) when Michael Comyn interviewed Vincent Doyle who supports the children of priests through his initiative Coping International. His book…

Last Saturday I had a look at Life on the Rock, the youth-oriented show of US Catholic network EWTN. Though full of good material I felt it wouldn’t appeal that much to young Catholics, except for the most committed. The style is a bit stiff and there needs to be more young voices as well…

When I criticise media bias I often find myself tempted to distance myself from some person or cause lest people miss my point and assume I’m supporting them, whereas I’m just looking for more objectivity. Last Friday I listened to yet another soft and palsy interview with Alastair Campbell, former press secretary to Tony Blair,…

I wasn’t really surprised by how smoothly the inauguration of President Joe Biden went on Wednesday of last week – facilitated by massive security of course! My positive and optimistic side was drawn towards inspiration as I watched the RTÉ News Special (RTÉ One). Amanda Gorman, the young poet laureate, delivered an inspiring poem The…