“It is no coincidence that the move to normalise buying and selling sex came from those who work as pimps”, writes Breda O’Brien
Category: Comment & Analysis
Abortion is not an issue of religious belief, but human rights
Once the law allows the killing of innocent beings for certain reasons, it crosses a line, writes Austen Ivereigh
First the rhythm method, now the algorithm method
“It’s wonderful the way that technology can come to the rescue of good ideas and update the way we look at things,” writes Mary Kenny Natural Family Planning (NFP) was encouraged by the Catholic Church after the publication of Humanae Vitae in 1968, and many couples who felt they needed to limit their families tried…
No hint of sectarianism in Rising leaders’ independence struggle
“It would be easy, but wrong, always to assume that all that matters is the faith that people die in,” writes Martin Mansergh The commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising has been uplifting, and has attracted wide public interest, support and enthusiasm. Fortuitously, its timing has filled a gap in public life created by the…
Good versus evil battles based on religious roots
Game of Thrones’ nihilism does not work because we need stories to have a just ending or moral purpose, writes David Quinn President Barack Obama is a fan. He got to watch the first episode of the new season ahead of almost anyone else. That, I suppose, is one of the perks of being the…
Israel’s efforts to make peace are constantly rebuffed
It is outrageous to draw a moral equivalence between terrorists and Israel acting to protect its citizens, writes Ze’ev Boker Ze’ev Boker It was with interest but also with disappointment that I read the opinion piece by Baroness Nuala O’Loan on Israel and the Palestinians in The Irish Catholic (Peace remains fragile in the Holy…
Holy Orders
The Church teaches that priests share in the mission that Christ entrusted to the apostles, writes Cathal Barry The Second Vatican Council teaches that the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred by episcopal consecration, that fullness namely which, both in the liturgical tradition of the Church and the language of the Fathers…
What we dream with others can become a reality
What we cease to celebrate we will soon cease to cherish. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of the religious congregation to which I belong, The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. We have a proud history, 200 years now, of ministering to the poor around the world. This merits celebrating. As a…
Most real Confirmation at St Anne’s
“Everything about that celebration was… a celebration of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, inclusion”, writes Fr Martin Delaney In 2013, when the movie Philomena was released, worldwide attention was focused briefly on Seán Ross Abbey near Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Seán Ross was the mother and baby home where Philomena Lee had given…
Danger of Church colluding in false abuse impression
“I sometimes also wonder about the centrality and prominence that safeguarding has taken in the life of the Church”, writes Editor, Michael Kelly The watchdog set up to monitor the Church’s adherence to stringent child protection rules has published a new set of ‘standards’. Amongst other things, the document aims to redress a perception that…