Michael Kelly is an award-winning writer and broadcaster specialising in religious and social affairs. Born and raised in Northern Ireland, he attended the Pontifical University St Patrick’s College, Maynooth where he obtained degrees in philosophy and theology and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome where he studied social institutional communications. From 2002-2005 he was an Editor in the Central Information Service of Vatican Radio. In this role, he travelled with Pope St John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI on overseas trips. In 2005, he returned to Dublin to take up the position of Deputy Editor with The Irish Catholic newspaper, succeeding as Editor in 2012. He is a regular contributor to programmes on RTÉ, BBC, UTV, CNN and Al Jazeera. He also have extensive experience offering media training and coaching in the voluntary sector. Mr Kelly is a weekly columnist with Ireland’s largest-selling secular newspaper the Irish Independent and has been published in The Irish Times, the Irish Examiner, The Irish News, The Guardian, Our Sunday Visitor, Catholic World Report, the National Catholic Reporter and the National Catholic Register. He writes from Ireland for Catholic News Service of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Micheal finished his stint as Editor of The Irish Catholic in January 2024 and has taken up the position of Director of Public Affairs for Aid to the Church in Need Ireland.
The retired Pontiff is keen to burst conspiracy theories, writes Michael Kelly A little over eight years ago, Benedict XVI stunned the world by announcing that he would resign as Pope. In so doing he became first man to renounce the papacy on his own initiative since Celestine V in 1294. Now, in a new…
Early tomorrow morning (Friday), Pope Francis will depart from the Vatican for the 33rd apostolic journey of his pontificate outside of Italy. Iraq will be the 51st country that the Holy Father will have visited since the inauguration of his papacy eight years ago this month. It is a visit that the Pope has wanted…
“Where there is no vision the people perish,” is wisdom attributed to King Solomon in the Old Testament. It came to mind this week reflecting on the poor performance of the southern Government when it comes to charting a realistic and hopeful way out of the current level five Covid-19 restrictions. A succession of high-profile…
Vatican staff who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19 could be sacked under a decree made public by the city state, which employs around 5,000 people. An employee must have a documented medical reason for refusing a jab or face “consequences of various degrees which may go as far as the termination of employment,” according…
I asked a friend over the weekend – via a phonecall lest I be accused of flouting rules – if he was planning on giving up “the drink” this Lent as has been his custom for many years. “I think I’ll drink more,” was his joking response. It is a sentiment that will resonate with…
While we can’t go to the Holy Land in person this Lent and Easter, Irish would-be pilgrims are invited to join a free virtual pilgrimage which starts tomorrow (Monday). Pilgrims will experience a virtual tour of the Holy Land throughout Lent and Holy Week, and will conclude the pilgrimage with a broadcast of Easter Vigil…
Dublin’s new leader has insisted that how we rise to challenges and opportunities defines who we are as people of faith, writes Michael Kelly Archbishop Dermot Farrell has said he is filled with hope as he takes up his new appointment as archbishop of the country’s largest diocese. Dr Farrell was installed in St Mary’s…
Just how toxic discussions about the Church and priests and religious have become in Ireland was evidenced a few years ago when novelist Marian Keyes suggested people throw stones if they see a priest. “No matter how ‘nice’ a priest is, no matter how many raffles he runs, he is still a foot soldier for…
The new Archbishop of Dublin has appealed to Catholics to put their shoulders to the wheel and join him in the work of revitalising the Church in the capital. In an extensive interview with The Irish Catholic ahead of his installation next week, Archbishop-elect Dermot Farrell has also urged Catholics to bring their ideas to…
The Church must preach the Gospel, even if that is unpopular Archbishop-elect Dermot Farrell tells Michael Kelly When Dr Dermot Farrell is installed as Archbishop of Dublin next week it will be quite unlike any such episcopal installation in the capital in recent memory. The ceremony in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral on February 2 – the…