Perhaps the strongest argument for legalising – or at least decriminalising – cannabis (and other recreational drugs) is that this measure takes it out of the hands of criminal drug-dealers. If people are going to smoke weed anyway, let it be through a legal route – just as cigarettes remain legal, even if unhealthy. And…

What are we doing to stop a third world war? What can we do? I never thought I would write these words, but increasingly the possibility of renewed global conflict is being raised by many distinguished individuals. Is this what it was like in the 1930s, as the world watched the rise of Hitler and…

Have we really changed for the better since we joined the EU, writes David Quinn Some 50 years ago, Ireland joined what was then called the European Economic Community and in the time since then, the country has changed almost beyond recognition both materially and socially. To mark the anniversary, the Central Statistics Office has…

Euthanasia undermines foundational principles of Irish life, Bishop Kevin Doran tells Ruadhán Jones Ireland’s political powers are considering legislating to legalise assisted suicide, a move that would have far reaching consequences for Irish life. This comes despite palliative carers and most recently the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland coming out against the practice in a…

Wars, especially in the 21st Century, are fought on multiple levels. Beyond what happens on the battlefield, there’s also the ‘soft power’ contest to claim the high moral ground, and in that sense, one of the emerging fronts in the bloody conflict in Gaza now pits Israel against the Christian leadership of the Holy Land.…

Pope Francis issued another public appeal for peace in the Holy Land and throughout the world on Sunday, and made a phone call to United States President Joe Biden to discuss options for ensuring access to humanitarian aid and the release of hostages. Patriarchs and Church leaders in the Holy Land also issued a statement…

Recently we had a gathering of the priests of our diocese. On the final morning, we had a presentation, given by Prof. John Feehan, who may well have retired from UCD more than ten years ago but certainly is living life in its fullest understanding to this day. It was a wonderful and powerful presentation…