“We want to build a sense of identity and mission that allows us to serve others, to bring God’s mercy”, writes Breda O’Brien At the weekend conference focusing on Pope Francis and the family, there was very little emphasis on ‘hot-button’ issues like same-sex marriage. Instead, there was a focus on building a strong sense…

A Vatican cardinal has confirmed that an increasing number of priests turn down appointment as bishop, writes Michael Kelly A joke popular in some clerical circles is to quip that anyone who wants to be a bishop deserves it. But, more often than not, many a true word is spoken in jest. Anyone intimately acquainted…

Christians are closer, but theological obstacles to unity seem to be multiplying, writes Martin Browne OSB The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is over for another year. I have more than a passing interest in this annual observance. Ecumenical prayer and cooperation have long been an important part of my own spiritual journey. Added…

Fr Bernard Healy Cebu congress hears that the Eucharist offers something to all cultures, writes Fr Bernard Healy As I leave Cebu after the 51st Eucharistic Congress, I realise that that it was the catechesis given by  the irrepressible Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila that best reflected my experience as an Irish pilgrim here in…

Religious leaders are working hard for peace across the Middle East, writes Paul Keenan “A truly great document. One that will influence our time and history.” If you cannot assign this quote – uttered just last week – to a leading prelate of the Catholic Church, you can hardly be blamed. Similarly, it might be…

Church teaching holds that only God forgives sins, writes Cathal Barry The Church teaches that sin is, before all else, an offense against God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to sin as “a rupture of communion with him”. “At the same time,” the key teaching document of the Church states, “it damages communion…

They say that the book you most need to read finds you when you most need to read it. I’ve had that experience many times, most recently with Heather King’s book, Shirt of Flame, A Year with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.   The title of the book is borrowed from T. S. Eliot’s, Four Quartets,…

In spite of the sometimes overwhelming challenges, it is important for religious to retain joy and confidence, writes Andrew O’Connell I’m writing this week’s Notebook from St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford where a hundred or so religious from across the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois have gathered for a conference hosted by Bishop Francis Duffy…

Politicians have forgotten about ‘vulnerable fellow citizens’ in the prelude to the Rising Centenary, writes Editor Michael Kelly The Fine Gael-Labour coalition has been at pains to point out that the commemorations of the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising should be as inclusive as possible. The State has given grants to unionist communities in…

“Contentment, I think, is a gift and an occasion for gratitude”, writes Mary Kenny What is the secret of happiness? Many books have been written in its pursuit. My Edwardian mother-in-law used to say “disposition”, and this may well be a key. Alexander Pope said as much in his Essay on Man, comparing a rich…