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.
I’ve always loved how the Christ-child in the nativity scene is usually depicted with his arms outstretched, as if reaching out to the world. The birth of Jesus – God becoming man – is the decisive Divine intervention in human history. And yet, there is a paradox of humility and apparent weakness in the Christmas…
EXCLUSIVE The Pope’s representative in Ireland has said that the process to streamline and merge Ireland’s dioceses has already begun, despite opposition from some quarters. In an exclusive interview with The Irish Catholic, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo confirmed that “the process of amalgamation has already started”. Following the high-profile 2010-2012 Vatican investigation of…
This weekend marks the Third Sunday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday. While Advent no longer has the penitential feel it once did, this weekend is a break from the sense of expectation and an invitation to rejoice in God’s presence amongst us. The Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord is still two weeks away,…
While media commentators are trying to ignore the relative success of Peadar Tóibín’s movement, he deserves much credit for what he has achieved so far, writes Michael Kelly To describe the campaign for the Dáil byelections as underwhelming would be kind. In reality, the whole thing was painfully dull and the only interesting moments…
The Council of Priests of the Dublin Diocese has recommended a bold move that – if adopted – will see sacramental preparation move from the schools to a parish-based programme. This is how Catholic children are prepared for First Confession and First Holy Communion in most other parts of the world. The historic dominance of…
Some politicians never tire of telling us how liberal and tolerant Ireland is today. It is, they claim, a much better place than the Ireland of the past. Debate, they tell us, is much more civilised today and there is not the ‘chilling effect’ that many claim the prospect of a belt of a crosier…
Exclusive The Vatican has been urged to step in to block the transfer of land from a religious order to the State because abortions will be carried out in the new hospital. Rome-based moral theologian Fr Kevin O’Reilly OP told The Irish Catholic this week that that Holy See has an obligation to block plans…
For the first time in the 131 year history of this newspaper, the iconic masthead on the front page is red rather than the trademark blue. A masthead is a newspaper’s identity, and a decision to modify it is not made lightly or without just cause. The reason that it is red is to highlight…
As a newspaper, we report fair and accurately without fear or favour, writes Michael Kelly Former president Mary McAleese has been at pains to deny that she misrepresented the views of Pope John Paul II on human sexuality. It’s a serious matter that requires a serious response. When The Irish Catholic first broke the story last week…
Apart, of course, from the divine guarantee non praevalebunt (‘The gates of Hell shall not prevail’), part of the genius of the Catholic Church in facing the challenges of every era is the ability to read the signs of the times. Take the crisis of the Reformation. The huge renewal and reform of Catholicism that…