If seminaries obsess with an ‘ideal’ candidate, there’ll be very few priests in the future, writes Fr Gerard Dunne OP
Category: Opinion
Catholicism in England and Wales: crunching the numbers
A recent report on Catholicism may make for grim reading, but should be welcomed, writes Greg Daly
The celebration of marriage
The Church teaches that a bride and groom should prepare themselves for their marriage by receiving the Sacrament of Penance, writes Cathal Barry
Deep things happen under the surface
The spirituality writer, Tom Stella, tells a story about three monks at prayer in their monastery chapel. The first monk imagines himself being carried up to Heaven by the angels. The second monk imagines himself already in Heaven, chanting God’s praises with the angels and saints. The third monk cannot focus on any holy thoughts…
Huge research deficit on issue of Catholic education
Dear Editor, These days our bishops and educationists are again circling the wagons against the encroachment of ‘faith-neutral’ models of religious education in Catholic schools. So, for example, we hear Dr Eugene Duffy of St Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, insisting that: “Parents, if they’re sending their children to a faith-based school, will have a genuine…
Instruments in the hands of somebody much greater
Fr Martin Delaney reflects on a powerful memory
Disorder and disrespect at services
Dear Editor, I found myself in church, quite accidentally, on a Saturday afternoon at a baptism ceremony. It was conducted by an elderly priest, for whom I had great sympathy. Why? The atmosphere in the church was anything but quiet and respectful. There was widespread talking and giggling, children running around through the seats, even…
Parallels between Irish and British referenda
“younger people are nagging and bossing their older parents and relations to vote the ‘progressive’ way, while oldies sometimes keep their doubts to themselves”, writes Mary Kenny
The Church is not a club, but shared faith is really vital
There are clerics who see no inconsistency in living off the Church while preaching opposition to the Church, writes Editor Michael Kelly
Catechetical preparations for World Meeting of Families needed now
Dear Editor, Like many readers of The Irish Catholic I was delighted to see the news in last week’s edition (IC 19/05/2016) that a visit to Ireland by Pope Francis is increasingly likely in order to participate in the 2018 World Meeting of Families. I also noted at the weekend that a collection is to…