The View So first, the good news: the bill seeking to legalise assisted suicide in Ireland has been comprehensively rejected by the Oireachtas Justice Committee. This is a significant victory for the protection of vulnerable, sick and elderly people – who are among those endangered when it becomes culturally and medically acceptable to assist a…
Catholics need a constant reminder that the grace of God is greater than our sin, writes David Quinn Sometimes we need to remind ourselves why we are Catholics. We are Catholics because we believe Catholicism is true. We are not Catholics because all Catholics behave well, or because the Church is or is not in…
Letter from Rome It was quite fitting for a Catholic actor and a Christian director of a new streaming series on the life of Jesus to meet Pope Francis on the feast of St Clare of Assisi, patron saint of televisions and screens. Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus, and Dallas Jenkins, the series’ director, creator…
The Faithful still long to practice their faith free from harassment, writes Elise Ann Allen For Iraqis, the first week of August 2014 will forever be etched into their memory as the start of one of the worst episodes of religious and ethnic persecution the country has ever seen when the so-called Islamic State overtook…
What is the Eucharist? What is supposed to happen when we gather to celebrate the ritual that Jesus gave us at the Last Supper and asked us to perpetuate until his return? Is this meant to be a family meal or a re-enactment of Jesus’ sacrificial death? Is it meant to look like the old…
Dear Editor,I have read with much interest the article regarding bishops giving the green light for celebration of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation [IC 05/08/2021]. This is a praiseworthy and needed concern on the part of the seven bishops. I congratulate them and thank them for their courageous leadership at this difficult…
Notebook I had a bout of cellulitis this summer, a sore dose. I don’t know where it came from, though my doctor speculated that an insect bite under the skin on my foot probably caused the infection. I have often had cellulitis in the past, so I know the solution: rest with feet elevated, and…
How should we commemorate the Irish Civil War – the centenary occurring at the turn of the year? If it were left to Fergal Keane, the renowned war reporter, it wouldn’t be ‘commemorated’ at all. He’s really troubled by that word ‘commemoration’ – with its overtones of honouring an event – because he’s seen so…
The View Paradise is depicted at the beginning of the Bible as a heavenly garden. Given that the origin of the Jewish religion was in a mainly dry, hot and arid region of the Middle East, not surprisingly a fertile and fruitful garden represented an ideal habitation for humanity. The story inspired great works of…
People are starting to realise that public health is no longer the overwhelming consideration it once was, writes David Quinn To what extent are we morally obliged to follow public health guidance, and does there ever come a point at which we can decide for ourselves that other considerations override that guidance? Ever since March…
David Quinn
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Mary Kenny