Dear Editor, With the news that over 700 more refugees have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Irish Government is still doing nothing meaningful to confront the horrors that are taking place before our very eyes, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, together with the superiors of the religious orders, must follow Pope Francis…
Dear Editor, Mags Gargan’s article on wills (IC 19/05/2016) was timely and valuable. However, she missed what is possibly one of the most important points in relation to making a will. Any previous will is revoked by marriage, unless it is specifically made in contemplation of that marriage. So readers who are engaged (or those…
Dear Editor, I note that Social Democrat Ken Curtin is dismayed at the fact that his removal as a reader in Cobh Cathedral is being used as grounds to attack the Church (IC 26/05/2016). I wonder how the media was made aware of this situation and, also, why Mr Curtin was surprised at the action…
Dear Editor, What a strange lapse of judgement to give the front page of your edition of May 26 to such a distasteful report (‘Inappropriate’ behaviour claim robustly dealt with – Maynooth). An anonymous letter to the bishops’ conference alleging a gay culture in our national seminary hardly merits a mention let alone a tabloid-style front…
The Church teaches that a bride and groom should prepare themselves for their marriage by receiving the Sacrament of Penance, writes Cathal Barry
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…
Fr Martin Delaney reflects on a powerful memory
“No amount of depravation or social exclusion ever justifies the resort to criminality”, writes Editor Michael Kelly
“When life is tough, even drab, life as a big shot in the crime world can seem incredibly glamorous”, writes Mary Kenny
Accommon soldier dies without fear, yet Jesus died afraid. Iris Murdoch wrote this and that truth can be somewhat disconcerting. Why? If someone dies with deep faith, shouldn’t he or she die within a certain calm and trust drawn from that faith? Wouldn’t the opposite seem more logical, that is, if someone dies without faith…
Cathal Barry
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Michael Kelly
Mary Kenny