How thought-provoking it is now to turn over the pages of the renowned Dictionary of Irish Biography (published by the Royal Irish Academy) and note how frequently Irish religious schools have been mentioned with honour. Almost all of the revolutionary generation men were educated by priests and brothers; and even among noteworthy Irishmen who died…
A view from the Seanad Before going into politics, I spent a brief period practising at the Bar. Going in and out of the Bridewell courthouse, I was often struck by the bold inscription above me: ‘Fiat Iustitia Ruat Caelum’, i.e. ‘Let Justice be Done though the Heavens Fall’. It is an important statement of intent that should apply to every…
The new report on abuse in religious-run schools is demoralising, and yet so much good work is being done writes Michael Kelly The ‘scoping inquiry’ investigating historical allegations of abuse in religious-run schools again shines a light on a dark part of Irish history. It lifts the lid on a culture where predators abused with…
Several inquiries needed on all schools, state facilities The most recent report revealing allegations of child sexual abuse in Catholic secondary schools makes for grim reading. The pain endured by victims of abuse in religious-run schools and the sense of scandal that it has given rise to cannot be minimised. Whatever the sense of injustice…
A few years ago, I was introduced to an American priest in Dublin. When I heard he was from Pennsylvania, the words were swiftly out of my mouth: “Oh boy, you guys have some real problems there right now”. I was referring to a massive sex abuse scandal. But when I saw the pained look on…
Part 4 of a new series on Faith in modern Ireland with Eoin McCormack Have you ever found yourself in the often-awkward position in work or in another social setting where you are somehow elected the spokesperson for all things Catholic? Over the next several weeks this column is exploring how we can better prepare…
Last week, Pope Francis embarked on his 45th and most ambitious trip of his papacy, both in terms of distance and duration. It was a 12-day, four-country, two-continent odyssey; with stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore. The trip, which enabled Catholics in remote regions to see the Pope in the flesh prompted…
Hannah Brockhaus Pope Francis landed in Dili, the capital city of East Timor, on Monday last in the third stop on a September 2–13 trip to four countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania. One of the world’s newest nations — it became a sovereign state in 2002 — the majority-Catholic country is on a journey…
Letter from Rome If ever proof were needed of Pope Francis’s indefatigable commitment to outreach, the fact that today he’s travelled to Vanimo in Papua New Guinea, the most remote corner of a country which already represents the world’s peripheries, to meet with people utterly unaccustomed to having world leaders come calling, surely delivers it.…
Notebook If you pray the Angelus on a Sunday evening while watching RTÉ you will be familiar with the Abbey of Ballindoon. Each Sunday this wonderful structure acts as the backdrop to the ringing of the bells calling us to prayers. Recently I was invited by Fr Cullen and the parish of Geevagh in Co.…
Mary Kenny
Senator Ronan Mullen
Michael Kelly
Martina Purdy
John L. Allen Jr.