There is a long tradition of historical fiction that seeks to imagine the interior lives of minor Gospel figures. Pär Lagerkvist’s Barabbas, or even parts of Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita all step into the inner world of figures who appear fleetingly in Scripture. Works like these opt to reimagine the figures through the lens…
The deaths of 32 babies in Northern Ireland who were born alive following attempted abortions have raised urgent questions about medical practice, legal responsibility and accountability, according to Precious Life director Bernadette Smyth. The figures were revealed in the Northern Ireland Assembly by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, who cited death registrations listing “Termination of Pregnancy”…
The centenary celebrations of Venerable Matt Talbot this summer drew bumper crowds and sparked renewed momentum for his cause for canonisation, according to Michael Murphy of the Knights of St Columbanus. “We didn’t realise going into the centenary year how big of a success it was going to be,” Mr Murphy said. “Not alone for…
Bishop Fintan Gavin has said the Church has a vital role to play in responding to mental health challenges by creating spaces where people feel safe to speak without fear of judgement or stigma. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, the Bishop of Cork and Ross said his early training in residential social care, addiction counselling…
By Pedro Esteva & Garry O’Sullivan Two Irish bishops have told this paper that they are hopeful for the future of the Irish church as they see signs of renewal in their dioceses. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore believe that signs of renewal are already visible. At a recent Come and See day in…
Bishop Brendan Leahy says Catholics should not see interreligious dialogue and evangelisation as competing tasks, but as two sides of the same Christian mission. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, the Bishop of Limerick, said genuine dialogue always includes sharing the faith because authentic encounter requires honesty about who we are. “If I am genuinely encountering…
More than 800 people gathered at Knock Shrine to mark the centenary of the first Saturday devotion, commemorating the apparition received by Sr Lucia at Fatima on December 10, 1925. Amid escalating global unrest, the gathering focused on the promises of peace made by Our Lady. Guest speaker Antonia Moffat stressed the urgency of the…
Danielle Magennis is a Belfast-born actress and writer, known for roles in The Secret (2016) and Say Nothing (2024), and more recently as co-host of the Reclaiming the Faith podcast with her fiancé, actor John Connors (Love/Hate, Cardboard Gangsters). The pair explore faith, identity, and healing through honest conversations with priests, theologians, and people whose…
The overwhelming rejection of the Government’s recent family and care referendum shows the Irish people still hold a deep instinct for the family, the Apostolic Nuncio said. Speaking at the annual general meeting of Family Solidarity, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor said the vote revealed that political and cultural leaders “misread something essential” in Irish society.…
The Diocese of Derry will complete its discussions on forming new pastoral areas by Easter 2026, announced Bishop Donal McKeown in his pastoral letter for the beginning of Advent. The new arrangements will bring parishes together in shared mission, with decisions grounded in prayerful discernment rather than administrative necessity. Bishop McKeown said his hope is…