St John Henry Newman, newly named Doctor of the Church, reminds educators that the vocation of teaching is a ministry of truth It should come as no surprise that Pope Francis chose the Jubilee of Educators (November 1) as the occasion to proclaim St John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. Few figures…
Category: Feature
Signs of life: reflection on the Pre-Synodal Assembly in Kilkenny
The Pre-Synodal Assembly in Kilkenny was, in every sense, a grace-filled and hopeful gathering. Over 230 delegates from all four corners of Ireland came together in what was truly a moment of genuine ecclesial encounter. From the first registration queue to the final blessing, the weekend carried an unmistakable buzz; an energy born of gratitude…
Billy Morgan: the guardian of Cork football
In the proud sporting city of Cork, greatness is never in short supply. This is, after all, the self-proclaimed ‘real capital’ — a place where talent and ability seem to pour as freely as the River Lee. From Roy Keane’s fierce leadership on the football pitch to Sonia O’Sullivan’s Olympic glory to Ronan O’Gara’s cool…
Pope Leo XIV: There’s no template for synodality across all countries
Pope Leo XIV has said there can be no single model of synodality for all countries, emphasising that the Church must instead undergo a “conversion to a spirit of being Church” rooted in mission and communion. “We’re not looking for a uniform model,” he told synod leaders gathered from around the world in the Vatican’s…
American priests show ‘synodality in practice’ despite mixed views on Synod process
A new report from The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America offers a revealing snapshot of American priests in 2025 from their morale, pastoral priorities, and perceptions of Church leadership. The study shows that on the whole priests report satisfaction with ministry, but trust in bishops is still low, albeit with some improvement.…
The heroic resilience of Oola’s Green Giant
The emerald green of Limerick has been worn by some of the country’s most colossal athletes in recent years: Kyle Hayes, Gearóid Hegarty, Will O’Donoghue. Giants of men, they have combined raw athleticism with finesse and skill to etch themselves into the national consciousness as household names and leaders on the field. Yet in the…
Overcrowding has ruined every element of prison’
Former Mountjoy Governor, John Lonergan, reflects on his career, social justice and the problems currently plaguing the criminal justice system “I suppose that was the beginning of beginning to realise that life is not fair and that some people were born into horrendous circumstances where it was almost inevitable that they were going to end…
The faith and resilience of the Church in Mali Mali’s fully indigenous Church carries the Gospel forward with hope
Mali is going through a very delicate period in its history. Assimi Goïta’s military junta, which came to power following the second coup in less than a year back in May 2021, has embarked on a path of total independence from France and the West in general, opting instead for alliances with its neighbours Burkina…
Healing Sounds: an antidotal album for a divisive world
It’s fair to say that the world has been very fractured lately,” said celebrated musician Malachi Cush, who offers up a potential lifeboat for those feeling the weight of growing division, violence, and anxiety with his recent album Healing Sounds. The album, released on October 3, is Mr Cush’s seventh studio album and features a…
Taking action in saving ‘Mother Earth’
Conference marking the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ gathered climate specialists Lord of life, bless this water: may it awaken our hearts, purify our indifference, soothe our pains and renew our hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.” It began with a touching gesture of great symbolic value made by Pope Leo XIV the October 1–3…











