Soaring inflation and the impacts of Covid-19 are causing increasing strife in Lebanon, writes Chai Brady Despite Lebanon being considered by the World Bank as an upper middle-income country, they face a plethora of crises which are being acutely felt by the most vulnerable and discriminated in society. The country has seen the worst food…

Irish Catholic philosopher William Desmond warns that modern Ireland has desanctified life, writes Ruadhán Jones Reflecting on his return to Ireland in 1995, Cork-born philosopher William Desmond wrote that one sees home “in a doubled way” after a long time away. “There is no simple univocal home ever more.” I spoke to Prof. Desmond almost…

There is a misunderstanding regarding priestly celibacy, sexual frustration and the abuse crisis according to experts, writes Chai Brady If a random person walking down any Irish street were to be queried about the reasons behind the child abuse crisis in the Church, there’s a high chance they would say priestly celibacy was the cause.…

An extensive collection of the famed apologist’s personal belongings offers a glimpse into the mind of the man, writes Jason Osborne Fans of the ‘Apostle of Common Sense’ and the ‘Prince of Paradox’ Gilbert Keith Chesterton will be delighted to learn that the Notre Dame London Global Gateway has amassed a treasure-trove of the Catholic…

Those in solitary confinement face higher risk of depression, anxiety and self-harm according to a new study from Queen’s University Belfast, writes Liam Fitzpatrick For a British prisoner in solitary confinement to have the same freedom of movement in his cell as a British mouse does in his cage, he would have to be two…

The six Irishmen and two of Irish descent whose cause for beatification has gone to Rome Servant of God Fr James McGinn Priest of the Missionary Society of St Columban. Born: November 15, 1911, Butte, Montana, USA. Died: July 4, 1950, Samcheok, Gangwon, South Korea. Fr James ‘Jim’ McGinn was killed in Korea July 4,…

Seven Irish Columbans in Korea were martyred having stayed with their flock, Ruadhán Jones hears When we think of martyrs, our minds tend to reach far back into history. We think of the persecution of the Church under the Roman Empire, right at the beginnings of our faith. Or perhaps, closer to home, we think…

Irish martyr Fr Tommie Cusack’s letters reveal his bravery and humour, writes Ruadhán Jones “I have a boy,” Fr Tommie Cusack’s mother (Delia) begins a letter to Dalgan park, home of the Missionary Society of St Columban, “who is anxious to go to Dalgan park next September.” The letter is dated February 8, 1928, when…