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…
The View Martin Mansergh Electoral decisions here as elsewhere help determine how and in what state we will face the world in the time ahead. The loosening of the divorce laws, overwhelmingly approved by the electorate in the face of negligible public debate and muted opposition, is probably the last referendum here for the time…
‘Our differences are not a threat but a treasure’ Jean Vanier, the Founder of L’Arche, who died in Paris on May 7, wrote the words above, but their truth is far from self-evident. One might question whether those words are simply a nice-sounding poetics or whether they contain an actual truth. Our differences, in…
Is there a morality lesson to be drawn from the saga of Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey and her episode on the hotel swing? As is widely known, Ms Bailey sat on an indoor swing in a Dublin hotel, fell backwards and suffered hurt to hips, lower back and head from the fall. In consequence,…
News headlines of late have been dominated by rumblings between the US and Iran, capped by President Donald Trump taking to Twitter to state emphatically: “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran.” In such moments of global tension, the Vatican typically aspires to play the role of a reconciler…
The election of three new councillors for Aontú will give the pro-life party a solid base for the next general election, party leader Peadar Tóibín TD has said. “We’re delighted with the results of the elections,” Mr Tóibín told The Irish Catholic. “In the constituencies we’ve run in, we’ve averaged between 4 and 5% of…
The Notebook Recently I found myself doing a little research in the area of women in leadership. I come to this topic as someone who has been fortunate to know and experience some extraordinary women leaders in my own life and particularly in ministry. Any group, any society, any church which denies an equal role…
Climate issues are becoming “centre stage” but talk has to be matched with actions, Columban eco-theologian and author Fr Sean McDonagh has said. Fr McDonagh said while he was delighted by gains made by the Green Party in last week’s elections, he expressed disappointment at the party’s support for abortion. “We are turning vegetarian, [thinking]…
David Quinn
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Mary Kenny
John L. Allen Jr.
Greg Daly
Susan Gately