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.…
Michael Heinlein Since Pope Benedict’s death at age 95 on December 31, much ink has already been spilled detailing both his accomplishments and failures throughout his long life of service to the Church. In the end, though, all the coverage boils down to one question: ‘Who was the real Pope Benedict XVI?’ While it will…
The innovative work of the late prior will ensure a bright future for St Patrick’s Purgatory, writes Mary McDaid It was with a very deep sense of sadness and loss that the death of Msgr Richard Mohan on Sunday January 1, 2023 was learned of by the staff and pilgrims of Lough Derg, by the…
It is embarrassing to see human rights groups defend safe zones at abortion centres, writes Dr Leonard Taylor Draft legislation titled the Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services Bill (2021) is currently before Dáil Eireann, and the response of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) is of concern. The Bill intends to…
Elise Ann Allen As Pope Benedict XVI was laid to rest Thursday in the Vatican, Christian and interfaith leaders across the world conveyed their appreciation of his theological contributions and efforts to build bridges. In a statement of condolence, the acting Secretary General of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Jerry Pillay, said the…
LetterfromUSA Kate Scanlon After a report dubbed 2022 “the year of the botched execution,” Catholic activists renewed their calls for an end to capital punishment in the US at both the state and federal levels. Despite declining public support for the practice, and a campaign promise from President Joe Biden, a Catholic and a…
Dear Editor, With the noble exception of yourself, it seems that our media was virtually incapable of finding a single commentator who had anything positive to say about the late Pope Benedict XVI. To call a lot of the coverage petty and churlish would be an understatement. No one should expect that the passing of…
Fr John Harris OP During the last week I have been remembering the times I met with Cardinal Ratzinger when I was studying in Rome. I never met him after his election as pope. Back in November 1993 I wrote a letter to an Irish national newspaper, when an article in that paper had described…
It is 50 years since Ireland joined the European Union – then called the European Economic Community, (EEC) and subsequently, just the European Community (EC). I remember it because I was reporting from Brussels at the time, and fireworks and parties were laid on for the accession of Ireland, Britain and Denmark. Key role But…
In an age when so many seek safety in groupthink, Pope Benedict was never afraid to offer a contrasting point of view, writes Prof. Francis Campbell There is an image I will always recall when I think of Benedict XVI. It was a side view of him as he spoke. Beyond him, watching him intently,…
Michael Kelly
Mary Kenny