Once again praying from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter’s Square, despite rain and the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis on Sunday ticked off many of his core social concerns: Peace, life, migration, and the fight against modern-day slavery, all in a matter of minutes. Peace and democracy for Myanmar Francis said he…
A colleague once challenged Pierre Teilhard de Chardin with this question. You believe that good will ultimately triumph over evil; well, what if we blow up the world with an atomic bomb, what happens to goodness then? Teilhard answered this way. If we blow up the world with an atomic bomb, that would be a…
Dear Editor, In recent times there has been an increase of interest in the ministry of exorcism in the Church. Jason Osborne’s article, ‘Evil One exploiting Covid-19 to bring about fear says famed Dublin exorcist’ [IC 28/01/2021], quoting veteran exorcist Fr Pat Collins, prompts this letter. Is this a clear demonstration of “demonic obsession” where the demon,…
Notebook Now there is a question. If Lent is about self-sacrifice, deprivation and slowing things down, then we have had the longest 40 days ever, in the wilderness that is called Covid. So much of what we enjoy, take for granted and rely on for normality in life has been taken away and personal sacrifice…
There’s been a campaign afoot to make St Brigid’s Day, on February 1, a national holiday on a par with St Patrick’s Day. Gender balance among Irish saints! And why not? St Brigid has a strong devotional tradition, and the St Brigid’s cross is a symbol cherished in so many Irish households. Brigid, who died…
The View In addition to dedicating this year to St Joseph, Pope Francis has announced a special year dedicated to the family, beginning on St Joseph’s feast day, March 19. A year dedicated to the family is wonderful news: but how should it be approached and celebrated? Despite what the world tells us, it is…
We look to our own Government to protect us, and if they fail, then we understandably turn on them, writes David Quinn It is not at all clear at this stage when those who want to receive a Covid-19 vaccination will get their wish. It is to be hoped that everyone over the age of…
The power tech corporations wield over expression ought to inspire debate, writes Jason Osborne The beginning of 2021 has seen a number of unprecedented events: the storming of the US capitol, and the banning of then-US president Donald Trump from all social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok foremost among them.…
Letter from Rome St Francis of Assisi supposedly said, “Preach always, and, when necessary, use words”. In all honesty, there’s no evidence St Francis ever said anything like that – but even so, it’s a piece of advice Popes long have taken to heart. Over the centuries, Popes have always found plenty of ways to…
On the same day a top Vatican official insisted that Pope Francis’s upcoming visit to Iraq is still on the books, and that the pontiff is determined to go, the country’s health ministry issued a statement warning of a possible second wave of the Covid-19 coronavirus, which, they said, could be deadlier than the first.…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Mary Kenny
Maria Steen
David Quinn
John L. Allen Jr.