How do you become Pope?

Questions of Faith The Pope doesn’t have an easy job; while some think of him as a mysterious man who lives in the Vatican, Catholics know him as the head of the Church and a shepherd to his entire flock. The Catechism describes his role as such: “For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his…

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To do…or not do?

Everyone procrastinates but it can become a problem when it takes over our lives, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   There’s washing to be ironed, bills to be paid and that murder-mystery novel you’ve always wanted to write (but never found the time). With all the tasks that need to be completed in your life, it’s hard…

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A Franciscan friar for the farmers

Personal Profile Bro. Tony Dolan’s agricultural initiatives have changed lives, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   The Italian friar St Francis of Assisi is renowned for his love of nature and is globally known as the Patron Saint of Ecologists. While few can claim that they have successfully captured the attention of birds through preaching, one Irish…

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How did Judas Iscariot die?

Questions of Faith Judas Iscariot is known as the apostle who betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane – an act which ultimately led to the crucifixion. Emeritus Pope Benedict explained in 2006 that the betrayal took place in two moments: “first of all in its planning phase, when Judas comes to an agreement with…

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A world at your feet

Spending time outdoors can make a massive difference to your life, writes Colm Fitzpatrick Do you remember how you had fun during your childhood? Is it radically different to how kids spend their leisure time today? When the older generation reflect on how they spent their youth, usually the images of hopscotch, conkers and tag…

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Creating a Church open to change

Personal Profile The African Church can teach us more about Ireland than we think, Colm Fitzpatrick learns   With over 30 years of missionary experience in Ghana, a Kerry-based priest believes the Irish Church can learn a lot from its African counterpart. The second eldest of eight children, Fr Patsy Lynch who serves as parish…

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Does the Church have a stance on vegetarianism?

Questions of Faith Now more than ever, people are freely opting for a plant-based lifestyle not only to improve their health but also for moral reasons. It’s estimated that about 11% of the global population is vegetarian and this number is increasing daily given society’s changing attitudes towards meat consumption. For Catholics who are considering…

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Saving for Santa

Christmas spending doesn’t require breaking the bank, writes Colm Fitzpatrick   For children, Christmas is a magical day in the Christian calendar where gifts, toys and sweets miraculously appear in large, overstuffed stockings. However, behind the innocent smiles of children overwhelmed by the presents before them, is usually the worry of a stressed parent unsure…

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A fall in the right direction

Personal Profile Most conversion stories sound mundane. They might involve having an interesting conversation, listening to a great sermon or reading a persuasive book. But the story of Alan Field’s journey to God plays out more like a movie than a real-life experience. From criminal turned movie-writer, his story is one worth listening to. Born…

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