While Catholics make up less than 70% of the Irish population in Census 2022, the full breakdown released on October 26 shows that ‘no religion’ is still by far in the minority.
Category: Opinion
Incardination of predator priest Rupnik is an epic fail for synodality
So, former Jesuit Marko Ivan Rupnik, the priest dismissed by the Society of Jesus after it was determined that charges of his sexual ‘misconduct’ with between nine and 20 or more women, and at least one man, were credible, has been incardinated as a priest in Slovenia’s Diocese of Koper.
Argentina will get first home-grown saint when ‘Mama Antula’ is canonised
Argentina will get its first home-grown female saint in early 2024 with the canonisation of Blessed María Antonia de San José.
Stubborn inability to deal with abuse is stomach-churning
“We had hoped, but…” is what Cleopas told the hidden Lord on the road to Emmaus about the experience of desolation in the early Church following the Crucifixion.
Son of an unknown father
I am writing this article from Sligo. I am here preaching the annual novena in honour of St Martin de Porres.
A small ray of hope for Nicaragua
Recent developments regarding the ongoing persecution of Catholics in Nicaragua, such as the release of 12 priests who were detained in Nicaragua and their subsequent expatriation to Rome, highlight the gravity of the situation in the country.
Truth is we’re in a complete muddle about drugs
Perhaps the strongest argument for legalising – or at least decriminalising – cannabis (and other recreational drugs) is that this measure takes it out of the hands of criminal drug-dealers. If people are going to smoke weed anyway, let it be through a legal route – just as cigarettes remain legal, even if unhealthy. And…
Do not forget how quickly world war can come
What are we doing to stop a third world war? What can we do? I never thought I would write these words, but increasingly the possibility of renewed global conflict is being raised by many distinguished individuals. Is this what it was like in the 1930s, as the world watched the rise of Hitler and…
Discerning where God is leading the Church
The issue of understanding tradition is a major theme at the synod, writes Michael Kelly from Rome The Church must understand Catholic teaching as a “living tradition” rather than legalism, a theological adviser has told the global synod meeting in Rome. Australian Fr Ormond Rush — one of the world’s leading scholars on Vatican II…
Ireland’s ‘progress’ in last 50 years ambiguous
Have we really changed for the better since we joined the EU, writes David Quinn Some 50 years ago, Ireland joined what was then called the European Economic Community and in the time since then, the country has changed almost beyond recognition both materially and socially. To mark the anniversary, the Central Statistics Office has…

Ruadhán Jones



Michael Kelly


Mary Kenny
Nuala O’Loan

David Quinn