Andrew O’Connell remembers an inspirational author and lecturer who captivated his audience with his intelligence and spiritual depth
Category: Comment & Analysis
Darkness can be confusing but maturing
In one of his books on contemplative prayer, Thomas Keating shares with us a line that he occasionally uses in spiritual direction. People come to him, sharing how they used to have a warm and solid sense of God in their lives but now complain that all that warmth and confidence have disappeared and they’re…
The effects of Confirmation
The Church teaches that every baptised person not yet confirmed can and should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, writes Cathal Barry
A grisly anniversary and Ireland’s long relationship with the Holy See
Editor Michael Kelly reflects on the ‘sometimes complex, relationship between Ireland and the Holy See’.
The anatomy of influence
Mary Kenny questions what it takes to be considered influential
Consultation process for proposed world religions course is farcical
The new questionnaire on faith education is designed to be a stitch up, writes David Quinn
Messenger of wonder & wonderful messenger
Fr Michael Paul Gallagher SJ called people to discover a God who was much more loving than they had dared imagine, writes Fr Thomas Casey SJ
World War I had disastrous consequences sadly still with us
Martin Mansergh examines Irish attitudes to an ‘imperialist war’ that divided lives and changed the world forever.
Theological liberalism is tearing Christianity apart
The wrong kind of synodality risks the Catholic Church fracturing like Anglicanism, writes David Quinn
Parishes prepare to welcome refugees
Delays in the arrival of refugees to Ireland, have not dampened enthusiasm to help, writes Mags Gargan

Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Cathal Barry
Michael Kelly
Mary Kenny
David Quinn
Courtney McGrail
Dr Martin Mansergh
Mags Gargan