Parents need guarantees from the State that the ethos of Catholic schools would be properly respected, writes David Quinn Is it really true that only Catholics can teach in Catholic schools in Ireland, as a recent newspaper article seemed to suggest? The short answer is no, but that didn’t stop the issue being debated on…
Relations between Catholics and Protestants seem to be fraying in the North, Chai Brady writes Good relations between Catholics and Protestants in the North have decreased substantially according to the latest statistics from the Executive. A number of factors are influencing this decline – including the fact that since 2021 questions have been changed in…
Cindy Wooden In an hourlong interview with Italy’s main news programme, Pope Francis announced he would travel to Dubai in early December for the UN Climate Change Conference, COP28. He also revealed that he speaks every day with the priest and women religious at Holy Family Church in Gaza, that he was pleased with the…
Eduardo Campos Lima Despite hopes that violent land disputes in Brazil would diminish with the return to power of leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, generally seen as more favourable to land reform and Indigenous rights, Brazil’s Catholic bishops recently reported no decline over the first six months of 2023. For the most part,…
Recently I spent a few days in Rome with two friends who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful experience as the Eternal City always seems to tick so many of the boxes that make for a great holiday. My abiding memory of this recent trip will be one of ‘queueing’. We…
Dear Editor, the article discussing the role of newer Catholic communities in Ireland and their potential to reinvigorate Faith [The Irish Catholic – November 2, 2023], was most interesting. The insights shared by Fr Severino and Fr Joseph Mathew, are enlightening. It is heartening to see the rich tapestry of Catholicism flourishing in Ireland through…
I must admit, I was a very infrequent Mass-goer (if that is the word) for a couple of years. When the Covid-19 pandemic started and Mass ‘went online’, I tried for a week or two, but I soon discovered that sitting at my kitchen table in front of a laptop ‘virtually’ attending Mass and ‘virtually’…
Wherever one finds oneself on matters of ecclesiastical politics and bureaucracy, there is no doubting that the Roman synod that concluded at the weekend was the most momentous event in the life of the Church since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).
“Census highlights waning power of Catholicism” ran the headline, reporting the demographic changes in the latest census records.
We Irish tend to be a cheerful bunch. We like to look on the bright side, and hope for the best. Yet there are times when it’s prudent to be wary, and even fearful.
David Quinn
Chai Brady
Michael Kelly
Mary Kenny