In the Hands of the People: A New Vision of Church by Phil Brennan (Primavera Publications, €6.99)

Education Matters: Readings in Pastoral Care for School Chaplains, Guidance Counsellors and Teachers edited by James O’Higgins Norman (Veritas, €19.99/£16.15)

The principle of freedom of expression – which has been violently attacked and vigorously defended over recent days – depends very much on the ability, not of those in the media, but of ordinary people, to express themselves well and clearly. Freedom of expression is not just for writers and cartoonists, for politicians and pontiffs…

There was little generosity in the early days of the Irish Free State

‘It is a complicated scene, and one largely unfamiliar to western Catholics’, writes Peter Costello

It is often said that the modern way of celebrating Christmas derives from Charles Dickens and the publication of his short book A Christmas Carol on December 19, 1843. But as is so often the case, when we look into it, the matter is more complicated. Traditions do not have a simple origin, though in…

A selection of titles for adults, both secular and religious, fort he Christmas season

The Homesman by Glendon Swarthout (Simon & Schuster, €9.99/£7.99)

Paddington Bear