Letter from Rome Elise Harris A preliminary outline of Pope Francis’ coming apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia reveals the merger of several more departments and an increased emphasis on the presence of laity as part of a reform hinged on decentralisation and synodality and fuelled by evangelisation. Tentatively titled Praedicate Evangelium, a draft of the…
Shortly after Pope Francis was elected in March 2013, he declared his wish to preside over a “poor Church for the poor”. While that was a statement of intent, his first real chance to make it operational came three months later when he visited the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa off the coast of Sicily,…
Simone Weil once commented that it’s not enough today to be merely a saint; rather “we must have the saintliness demanded by the present moment”. She’s surely right on that second premise; we need saints whose virtues speak to the times. What kind of saint is needed today? Someone who can show us how we…
The Notebook Fr Bernard Healy I try to visit the Isle of Wight for a few days every year. I sometimes joke that with its faded Victorian seaside resorts, relaxed way of life and quaint country villages that it’s a chance to take a short holiday in the 1950s. However, when I visit, I’m…
Garry O’Sullivan Justice delayed is indeed justice denied, and when someone has been wronged no redress really fixes everything. It is almost 14 months since the Irish Times – which in the minds of those who work there styles itself as the paper of record – published an article which falsely accused two young men…
Exclusion zones are an infringement on democracy, writes Denise Kelly One of the greatest challenges for the pro-life movement is in combating false public perceptions – perceptions that by and large are created by those most vociferous in opposing what we stand for. I get where the motivation comes from. If you’re going to…
Britain should do more to remember the victims of its religious persecution, writes Francis Campbell On this day in 1681, a short distance from this studio, an innocent man was hanged, drawn and quartered. That was the punishment for high treason. Today, July 1, marks his feast day for he was St Oliver Plunkett.…
Fr Bernard Cotter reflects on the challenges Cork & Ross faces Bishop John Buckley became Bishop of Cork & Ross in February 1998. For over 20 years he has been a shepherd to people in need of care in his diocese. Very few people who spent more than a few days in any Cork…
A new report issued by the Central Statistics Office claims that Irish Protestants live longer than Irish Catholics – comparing 563 Protestant deaths per 100,000 persons as against 660 Catholic deaths. One historian, Dr Ida Milne, attributed this trend to Protestants probably having a thriftier and more frugal lifestyle. Protestants see thrift as a virtue –…
There are prices to be paid for greater social variety, writes David Quinn ‘Diversity’ is the new religion of Ireland. It is one of those words that is never challenged, is constantly promoted and is simply assumed to be a good in itself. Celebrate it, we’re told. ‘Diversity’ is ‘inclusive’. ‘Diversity’ is ‘compassionate’. These…
John L. Allen Jr.
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Mary Kenny
David Quinn