The journey for some fleeing war to finding long-term safety in Ireland can be a long and tough one, writes Róise McGagh   Papy Kahoya Kasongo came to Ireland in 2015 from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Forced to flee due to his proximity to a controversial religious leader, he faced a long battle until…

Chai Brady speaks to Fr Patrick Devine SMA about tackling conflict in Africa   Conflicts caused by religious extremism are on the rise across Africa and are more difficult to deal with than violence between tribes, according to an Irish missionary priest who established a charity focused on peace-building and reconciliation. Fr Patrick Devine SMA…

Sunday’s Gospel Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap.   The story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead begins with a puzzling situation. When Jesus is told that his friend is seriously ill, he remains distant and aloof. It’s so unlike him. When eventually he goes to the house, Lazarus has died. The sisters Martha and…

After Jean Vanier, how can L’Arche go forward creating places of belonging for those whom society rejects, asks Dr Liam Waldron   In a YouTube video recorded in 2018 to celebrate his 90th birthday, Jean Vanier, the founder of and inspiration for the international network of over 150 intentional communities, known as L’Arche, spoke about…

The after effect of Ebola, education equality and evangelisation of Sierra Leone are all in a day’s work for the Bishop of Kenema, writes Róise McGagh Bishop Henry Aruna of the Kenema Diocese in Sierra Leone on his visit to Ireland was reunited with schoolteachers of his from the Holy Ghost Missions. Today known as…

Edwin Shuker is an Arab Jew from Iraq with a truly remarkable story he wants to share with the world, writes Aron Hegarty   His story is the unheard narrative of the Jewish refugee, whose history of being the original people in Middle Eastern countries – dating back more than 2,000 years – risks being…

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is one of the foremost religious thinkers in the English-speaking world. Yet, he wears his considerable depth lightly. When we meet in his home in the London suburb of Golders Green, he is warm and hospitable. The first thing one notices in the house is the enormous dining table. Meals and table…

“If you’re looking for the real story of St Patrick, you will be able see this film and at the end of it understand this man. What he went through, facing death, his courage and his willingness to follow God to the ends of the Earth.” These are the words executive producer Gordon Robertson uses…

Fr Billy Swan This week marks the seventh anniversary of the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as Pope Francis on March 13, 2013. Though a work of fiction, the recent success of the film The Two Popes has revived public interest in the context of Francis’ election, his cultural background in South America and the…

“In a time where people are very busy in a world where there is persistent noise and commentary from social media, I think it’s very important for people to have the space to get away, be centred and in touch with their own self.” These words from Sr Peggy Collins of Glendalough Hermitage Centre not…