We can expect a positive and hopeful tone from Pope Francis, writes Sebastian Gomes Sebastian Gomes We’re still awaiting the definitive conclusion to the synods on family life in the form of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation. Since the 1960s, an apostolic exhortation has been the traditional form of teaching that concludes a Synod of Bishops;…

Cathal Barry takes a look at who receives and who administers the Sacrament of the Sick The Church teaches that Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death”. “Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness…

As Jesus is being crucified he utters these words: “Forgive them, they know not what they do.” It is not easy to say these words and it is perhaps even more difficult to grasp them in their depth. What does it mean, really mean, to understand and forgive a violent action against you? There are…

“Jesus has, indeed, broken through the barrier of death to new life, and where he has gone, we will follow”, writes Fr Martin Delaney At the heart of the Easter story is a most extraordinary idea. The incomprehensible notion that someone dies but comes to new life. This claim has then led to a belief…

Fear is the heartbeat of the powerless. So writes Cor de Jonge. That’s true. We can deal with most everything, except fear. The late, Belgian, spiritual writer, Bieke Vandekerckhove, in a very fine book, The Taste of Silence, shared very honestly about the demons that beset her as she faced a terminal illness at age…

“A rough calculation, based on this exit poll, would put weekly Mass attendance among Catholic voters at about 40%”, analyses Andrew O’Connell The recent exit poll, conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes for RTÉ on election day, included questions on religious affiliation and church attendance. Voters were quizzed as they left their polling stations across the…

Addressing thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square at the weekend, Pope Francis told them: “God does not nail us to our sin.” The Pope went on: “He does not identify us with the evil we have done. We have a name, and God does not identify this name with the sin we have committed.”…

“time heals all wounds between nations, and history puts everything into a constantly changing perspective”, writes Mary Kenny The history of St Patrick’s Day in Britain is interesting. Up until 1916 – significantly – it was well-marked and well-observed in London, particularly, as a great day for the Irish. The tradition of a royal family…

“The commission has recognised its duty to create policies with global application, which send very clear messages about what must be done everywhere in the world. We have seen that it is capable of this”, writes Nuala O’Loan Pope Francis established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, because, he said, “Many painful actions…

Faith in anything, once lost, is not easily restored, writes David Quinn Lately I’ve taken to calling myself a ‘lapsed’ or a ‘non-practicing’ Fine Gaeler. You might be the same, or else you might be a lapsed Fianna Fáil supporter who perhaps returned to the party at the recent election or maybe opted for one…