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.
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 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…
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…
Faith in art One of the starkest images around the funeral rites for Pope Benedict XVI was the moment when his mortal remains were transferred from his residence at the Mater Ecclesia Monastery within the grounds of Vatican City State to the majestic St Peter’s Basilica. His cortege entered the basilica through a door that…
When they addressed the continental phase of the synod process in Prague last month, Julieann Moran and Fr Éamonn Fitzgibbon spoke of the “joy expressed by so many who took part in the synodal process, and their hope that it will continue and become embedded in Church structures, is real”. No one can doubt the…
Leave well alone,” a senior Government minister told me not too long ago. It was not advice for me, but hitherto unspoken advice to his colleagues who were very gung-ho on “getting the Church out of schools,” as he put it. Over recent years, he had diagnosed that – despite a vocal minority – there…
Ten years ago, bookmakers Paddy Power asked me to compile their papal election guide ahead of the conclave that would replace Pope Benedict XVI. It was mostly a bit of fun, but punters were in fact betting on who would become the next Bishop of Rome and the bookies naturally wanted some insight. As I…
It is hard to think of a topic that is more controversial now or provokes more intense emotion than the issue of transgenderism. This is despite the fact that all of the scientific experts say that gender identity confusion is, at least according to the research, an issue that affects a very small minority of…
There are few things more pathetic and embarrassing to witness than the spectacle of unrequited love. It occurred to me at the weekend when I saw senior figures in the Labour Party talk about their enthusiasm for a potential merger with the Social Democrats. Holly Cairns, the Social Democrat TD, was asked about the prospects…
Walking the byways and valleys where St Patrick first ministered is a unique way to re-discover his greatness, writes Michael Kelly Far from the green beer, parades and novelty costumes, if one wants to get to know the real St Patrick there are few better ways to so do than to travel to where he…