Pope Francis has been to the fore of leadership efforts around the world to highlight the Christian responsibility to reach out and look after those who are fleeing war and violent conflict. For the first time in many years, the continent of Europe is seeing war raging following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Every day…
A small group of people can’t continue to carry the entire parish
One of the good-natured grumbles I hear from priests about Pope Francis is the quip that it wasn’t the Argentine Pontiff who invented being nice to people. What do they mean when they say this? Well, the fact is that the overwhelming majority of priests – almost to a man, I would say – are…
Groupthink is the death knell for quality journalism
It’s an Editor’s worst nightmare. A newspaper publishes an article which turns out to have been largely written using artificial intelligence and the accompanying photograph claiming to be the ‘author’ is also a hoax. Just how could The Irish Times get it so wrong and publish an article accusing Irish women interested in fake tan…
‘Blessed are the peace-makers’
Fr Kevin Mullan lived out his priesthood in the service of others writes Michael Kelly Like many people across the island of Ireland, I was sad to awake on Saturday morning to the news that Fr Kevin Mullan had died during the night. It brought to mind the words from the Second Book of Samuel:…
A synod dominated by elites will do nothing to transform the Church
Wealthy Catholics in Germany seem set for a collision course with the Vatican, and the rest of the Church over their push to change basic Catholic doctrines and practices. Pope Francis has long warned of the danger of the synodal process being hijacked by elites pushing an agenda. It’s hard to think of a more…
British Govt is waging war on Catholic schools in NI…while praising them at home
One of the key planks of the Good Friday Agreement, the 25th anniversary of which we celebrate this month, was the idea of parity of esteem. In short, that no identity would be exaggerated in the region at the expense of another. We don’t need to rehearse the history, but the first 50 years or…
What to do with a problem like Joe…
Joe Biden’s handlers can hardly have been more pleased about his ‘homecoming’ visit to Ireland. By any measure, the trip was a success and Mr Biden certainly seems to have enjoyed himself. A US-based journalist commenting on the trip pointed out that the crowds who turned out to see Mr Biden outside St Muredach’s Cathedral…
Holy Land Christians and holy sites need more protection
Jerusalem is the only city that exists twice: in both heaven and on earth. It has been described as a ‘city of longing’ and it is to this holy city that our hearts and minds turn as we reflect on the drama of Holy Week and Easter. If you’ve ever visited Jerusalem, and I hope…
Pope expected to leave hospital on Saturday
Pope Francis is expected to be discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital tomorrow (Saturday) if his condition continues to improve, the Vatican has said. The 86-year-old Pontiff was hospitalised on Wednesday after reportedly saying he had chest pain and difficulties breathing. He was diagnosed with bronchitis which is being treated by antibiotics. Doctors have ruled out…
Just 9% of Mass-goers joined synod process
Fewer than one in ten Mass-going Irish Catholics have participated in the much talked about synod process, according to new research. When it comes to younger Catholics (those under 35), just 6% of those who say they regularly go to Mass availed of the opportunity to become involved in the process which many Church leaders…