Peter Sutherland was a brave and highly competent Attorney General of Ireland, between 1981 and 1984, and also one of its youngest ever. He impressed civil servants and Ministers by his decisiveness and his grace under pressure, especially in dealing with difficult terrorist/extradition cases. Although his subsequent public and business career took him to live…
Letter from Rome Observers who’ve watched waves of attempted reforms wash over the Vatican across the years and then recede, often leaving very little changed in their wake, always marvel at the place’s ability to absorb a shock without really giving way. While there are many factors that help explain the staying power, here’s…
A series of seminars called ‘Transformer: Life in Spirit’, organised by Catholic charismatic group Living Water, will take place this month. The Life in Spirit programme, which takes place every two years, will begin on January 17 at 7pm in the Edith Stein Room, St Teresa’s Church on Claredon Street, Co Dublin, and will continue…
International Analysis Ines San Martin Never one to choose easy destinations for his foreign trips, Pope Francis heads to Chile and Peru next week for his sixth visit to Latin America, and to say he’ll have to face a few challenges is an understatement. Recent days have presented him with yet another challenge: a…
Ireland’s oldest Catholic mission magazine is celebrating 100 years of continuous publication this month. The Far East magazine was first published in January 1918 by the Missionary Society of St Columban, originally known as the Maynooth Mission to China. Marking the event, the magazine is running two competitions for would-be journalists aged 15 to 18…
Meath priest and former Maynooth President Msgr Dermot Farrell has been appointed Bishop of Ossory, succeeding Bishop Emeritus Seamus Freeman SAC who retired in July 2016. Born in Westmeath in 1954, Msgr Farrell studied at St Finian’s College, Mullingar, before earning a BSc degree and beginning his studies for the priesthood in Maynooth, being ordained…
Warm welcome for Peyton nomination A step to sainthood for the famous Irish-born ‘Rosary Priest’ Fr Patrick Peyton has been welcomed by leading figures in promoting the Rosary in Ireland. Mayo-born Fr Peyton moved to the USA at the age of 19 in 1928, joining the Congregation of Holy Cross, later founding the Family…
One lucky Irish priest who bagged half a million Euro said he would “share his luck around” and looks forward to giving something back. Mayo-born Msgr John Delaney said it was a policy he learned from his late mother and his bishop, with Premier Lotteries quoting him as saying: “I am a big believer in…
Christian church leaders have called on politicians to focus this year on helping restore hope to families who are experiencing hardship, especially those who are homeless. The New Year message was sent by several Church leaders including the Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin. They said they were shocked at the rising levels of homelessness…
Irish people are well-placed to understand and help migrants and refugees, Limerick’s Bishop Brendan Leahy has said, describing Pope Francis’ call for migrants to be welcomed into our communities as a ‘pressing invitation’ for Catholics. In a homily in St Nessan’s Church, Raheen, on January 1, the Church’s 51st World Day of Peace, Bishop Leahy…
John L. Allen Jr.
Greg Daly
Chai Brady