Dear Editor, As the debate around Catholic schools rumbles on, the Church should surely be doing more to quash unnecessary concerns? As research recently conducted by The Irish Catholic proved (IC 11/02/2016), Catholic schools are far from oversubscribed, let alone turning away children who don’t hold baptismal certificates. In fact, many Catholic schools, particularly in…
“The commission has recognised its duty to create policies with global application, which send very clear messages about what must be done everywhere in the world. We have seen that it is capable of this”, writes Nuala O’Loan Pope Francis established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, because, he said, “Many painful actions…
Dear Editor, With the recent awards season (Oscars, BAFTAs etc.) I propose we strike a medal and award it to The Irish Catholic TV/radio critic, Brendan O’Regan. His tireless dedication in having to listen to hours of guff, propaganda and filth that most of our broadcasters spew out on the airwaves, deserves some recognition. Recently…
Faith in anything, once lost, is not easily restored, writes David Quinn Lately I’ve taken to calling myself a ‘lapsed’ or a ‘non-practicing’ Fine Gaeler. You might be the same, or else you might be a lapsed Fianna Fáil supporter who perhaps returned to the party at the recent election or maybe opted for one…
It can be a source of comfort to know that while their child could not sustain life, the baby could give life to others, writes Mary Kenny Recently, the TV comedy writer Graham Linehan wrote a poignant article in the Sunday Independent magazine about the termination of a pregnancy. He and his wife Helen found…
Most of the loud voices pushing for more abortion were rejected by voters, writes Niamh Uí Bhriain Niamh Uí Bhriain Long before the general election was ever called, Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin insisted that if voters wanted abortion-on-demand legalised in Ireland, his was the party that would deliver. Mr Ó Ríordáin and his colleagues then…
It’s time the bishops commissioned a Catholic version of the sex education programme, writes David Quinn Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) has been part of primary and secondary school education for many years now. As is the case with other parts of the school curriculum, there seems to be wide variation between schools in terms…
The Pope’s imminent document will speak to couples and families struggling to cope with the pressures of society, writes Cathal Barry Just when you thought the buzz from last year’s family synod was petering out, it’s set to come back with a bang. The debate around Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics is set to…
Dear Editor, In his article following on from his trip to Los Angeles (IC 25/02/2016), I think that Michael Kelly is missing a critical point when he writes of the “vibrant” liturgies that he experienced in his visit. A key contributor to this environment of vibrancy and life is the strong connection of the families…
The Church teaches that Jesus’ compassion allows him to identify with those who suffer, writes Cathal Barry Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us…
Nuala O’Loan
David Quinn
Mary Kenny
Cathal Barry