For a generation born after a certain period in Europe, war and its perverse consequences have thankfully not been all too intimately known. In fact, the vast majority of Europe’s inhabitants – save the likely elderly of World War II and the middle-aged products of the Cold War and The Troubles – have largely been…
On Friday you will be asked to vote on two changes to our Constitution. Perhaps you, like much of the country, don’t really understand what it’s all about, and I don’t blame you because it seems neither does the Government! Their stance has been one that is based on confusion rather than clarity, and hollow…
Many universities are fast becoming cold houses for people who want genuine debate, writes Michael Kelly I had the pleasure recently of speaking in a debate organised by the Literary and Scientific Society at Queen’s University, Belfast. It was a civilised and convivial occasion, and we were debating the motion ‘this house believes that society…
Nuns at protest raises questions about clashing views of justice, writes David Quinn A big demonstration passed through Dublin on Saturday mainly to protest against what is happening in Gaza, but also on behalf of a whole plethora of minority groups from asylum-seekers, to Travellers, to transsexual people, to those with disabilities. Among those taking…
There was no ‘Women’s History Month’ when I was growing up and I wasn’t oppressed, writes Martina Purdy I find myself identifying with a man: the Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman. Ironically, this self-identification began this month, with Women’s History Month (which flows from International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, and inspired by German marxist,…
There’s a phrase in sport to describe when a player has thought so much about what he is doing that he can’t do it anymore: analysis paralysis. With the proliferation of coaches, experts, statisticians and the recording technology, the wealth of information and advice can overwhelm even the most talented sportsman or woman. You take…
Letter from Jerusalem Justin Robinson OSB Pilgrims who have walked Jerusalem’s Via Dolorosa will likely have visited the birthplace of the Virgin Mary at St Anne’s church, at the start of that hallowed route. The Crusader structure possess beauty in its noble simplicity, and it sits next to the Bethesda Pools where Jesus healed the…
Notebook I recently led a day of reflection with 30 people from my diocese who are in discernment about proceeding to the ministry of catechist or pastoral care worker. The brief I was given and the title of my talk was ‘An Introduction to Theology’. For most present, this was their first formal introduction to…
Our Constitution was not written by a male-pale-and-stale politician, unforgivably taller than Leo, and nor was it supervised by an archbishop notorious for almost always being “displeased”. It was written by great Irish lawyers. And, most importantly, it incorporated many protections for the citizens against the State. The decline and fall of the British Empire…
A view from the Seanad The statement from the Catholic bishops on the referendums on ‘Family’ and ‘Care’ on March 8 is covered elsewhere in these pages, but I’d like to offer a couple of observations. Bishops, these days, are slow to say ‘Vote Yes or No’ to anything. They rightly judge that any direct exhortation can…
Brandon Scott
Wendy Grace
Michael Kelly
David Quinn
Martina Purdy
Senator Ronan Mullen