Leave well alone,” a senior Government minister told me not too long ago. It was not advice for me, but hitherto unspoken advice to his colleagues who were very gung-ho on “getting the Church out of schools,” as he put it. Over recent years, he had diagnosed that – despite a vocal minority – there…

Ten years ago, bookmakers Paddy Power asked me to compile their papal election guide ahead of the conclave that would replace Pope Benedict XVI. It was mostly a bit of fun, but punters were in fact betting on who would become the next Bishop of Rome and the bookies naturally wanted some insight. As I…

It is hard to think of a topic that is more controversial now or provokes more intense emotion than the issue of transgenderism. This is despite the fact that all of the scientific experts say that gender identity confusion is, at least according to the research, an issue that affects a very small minority of…

There are few things more pathetic and embarrassing to witness than the spectacle of unrequited love. It occurred to me at the weekend when I saw senior figures in the Labour Party talk about their enthusiasm for a potential merger with the Social Democrats. Holly Cairns, the Social Democrat TD, was asked about the prospects…

Editor’s Comment The Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated in about a half-a-dozen churches in Ireland. Where it is celebrated, it is well-attended and has attracted some considerable interest from devotees who say that the find that form of the Mass – celebrated widely before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s –…

Dear Friends of The Irish Catholic, The poet Patrick Kavanagh wrote in his poem Advent, “And Christ comes with a January flower”. The miracle of Christmas is extended into the New Year, where we discover the new life in Christ in the vulnerability of a tiny snowdrop that defies the dark nights and cold weather.…

You can’t please everyone as Pope. John Paul II didn’t (and he’s a saint!), Pope Francis doesn’t and Pope Benedict XVI certainly didn’t. Probably that is a very good thing, since to lead with conviction and courage always risks upsetting people – particularly what Pope Francis describes as vested interests and ecclesiastical elites. On the…

Editor’s Comment The last year has been another bloody one for Christians around the world. Persecution continues to be a feature of the life of many Christians in the 21st Century – we hardly need reminding of the sober fact that the last 100 years has seen more Christians die for the Faith than in…

Editor’s Comment There are a few books that I read and re-read almost every year. Amongst them is the Jesus of Nazareth trilogy written by Pope Benedict XVI. If you haven’t come across them, Christmas might provide some free time to pick them up and have a read. In the pages, the former Pontiff presents…

Editor’s Comment The pre-Enlightenment era is often viewed as a time of rigid conformism and a lack of liberty compared to our own day. People point to the traditional formula error non habet ius (error has no rights) and shake their head confidently assuring themselves that we live in a better time when people are…