Category: Comment & Analysis

An Irish aversion to friendly advice

Fr Martin Delaney There was an interesting exchange between Rory McElroy and his then caddie JP Fitzgerald during the opening round of this year’s British Open at Royal Birkdale. McElroy had a disastrous start and after six holes he was already five over and facing the humiliation of missing the cut for the third successive…

Our struggle with riches

A number of years ago I attended a funeral. The man to whom we were saying goodbye had enjoyed a full and rich life. He’d reached the age of 90 and was respected for having been both successful and honest. But he’d always been a strong man, a natural leader, a man who took charge…

Are young Catholics drawn towards the Latin Mass?

Peadar Laighléis As long as I can remember, attracting young people to the Church has been a hot topic. There have been many trials: folk Masses, youth festivals and Taizé evenings, for example. None have proved to be a magic bullet. I don’t believe there is a single answer to this problem, but we could…

Inflation affects all walks of life

It’s the question priests most hate to hear: “How much is a Mass, Father?” Most priests have a standard explanation for reply, about Mass being a pearl of great price, an event of inestimable value, that the Mass can’t be bought or sold (and that attempts to trade in religious things have gotten the Church…