Inés San Martín In his first direct comments about the case of Theodore McCarrick, Pope Francis said that “about McCarrick I knew nothing, obviously, nothing, nothing”. “I said it many times, I knew nothing, no idea,” Francis said in an interview with Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki. Speaking about the allegation made by Archbishop Carlo Maria…

Although right-wing populist Matteo Salvini is now Italy’s undisputed political leader after his Lega party finished in first place in last week’s European elections, he doesn’t bask in universal acclaim. Among other expressions of disapproval, some Italians who reject his anti-immigrant, anti-outsider rhetoric have taken to showing up at his rallies and other events dressed…

There are many tragic aspects to the recent abortion in Holles Street of a healthy baby misdiagnosed with a life-limiting condition, but one thing was sure. Leo Varadkar is entirely wrong when he described it as an “individual tragedy”. It was not an individual tragedy. It was a systemic failure caused firstly, by legalising abortion…

David Mullins The apparent resurgence of ‘Green Politics’ at local, national and EU level has been the focus of significant commentary in recent days. For many, this is a welcome development that signals the arrival of a renewed global consensus on the various ecological and biodiversity challenges that confront us. This was certainly the reaction…

In the first parish where I served as curate, the retirement of the sacristan was a major event. This man was quite elderly, having served at the church for many years, after retirement from his civil service job. I don’t know what the parish paid him over those years, if anything: I presumed his government…

A relative of mine lost her father – to whom she was especially close – just as she was about to face her Leaving Cert exam. There was no option at the time but to proceed with the exam, despite her grief. She got through with distinction. Possibly, having to do the Leaving Cert gave…

The deconstruction of marriage continues apace, writes David Quinn.   The divorce referendum has passed by a margin of 82% to 18%. To put it another way, more than 1.3 million people voted in favour of it and about 300,000 voted against. The turnout was 50%. What exactly did people vote for? In their own…

Elise Harris Pope Francis has offered a shout-out to Chinese Catholics, specifically those who endure “daily trials and tribulations”. Though interpreted as a sign of the Pope’s commitment to his flock in China, the greeting also comes at a time when Francis is facing increased pressure over his recent deal with the government on the…

Críostíona Ní Láimhín A year on, the pro-life movement remains stronger than ever, writes Críostíona Ní Láimhín. From the Government side at least, the cheering that was heard on this May 25, the first anniversary of the referendum that obliterated the pro-life Eighth Amendment, was a far more muted affair. In exchange for the surreal…