Michael Kelly“There is simply nowhere for Catholics who are serious about the defence of marriage and the right to life of the vulnerable to go”, writes Editor Michael Kelly
Category: Opinion
First Communion is a vital building block in evangelisation
Mary Kenny“if families want to make a big fuss about First Holy Communion – including a certain amount of bling and other manifestations of carnival culture – let them”, writes Mary Kenny
How the new Government deals with social issues will be crucial
David QuinnThe Programme for Government provides plenty of challenges, writes David Quinn
A questionable curriculum
Greg DalyExperts in religious education are uneasy about a proposed new primary school course in religions and ethics, Greg Daly discovers
Europe’s soul is its values
Courtney McGrailPope Francis is offering a fresh vision for Europe, write Martin Schulz and Jean-Claude Juncker
Sabina Higgins’ comments on abortion wholly inappropriate
Dear Editor, I am utterly appalled at Sabina Higgins’ public comments that lack of access to abortion in Ireland in situations where the unborn child has a life limiting condition is an outrage against women, the world and nature. Mrs Higgins’ intervention is completely inappropriate and an abuse of the fact that the public elected…
Bible passages can support both sides of deacon argument
Dear Editor, In Kieron Wood’s letter (IC 28/04/2016), he plucks a line from the Bible (Timothy 2.12) to support his argument against women deacons. St Paul, a great orator of his time can only (I think) be read in context with the times, customs and practices he lived in and also the unfortunate standing/treatment of females and…
Jesus’ clear teachings on non-violence
Dear Editor, When I read the page 1 banner of last week’s The Irish Catholic (05/05/2016) ‘Just War Theory – Pacifism only works when everyone adopts it’, I said to myself “Here we go again!” That has the same faith logic as “Thou shall not steal/commit adultery” only works when everyone adopts the same standard!…
Clarity on Church policy for coeliacs
Dear Editor, I write as we mark Coeliac Awareness Week. Five years on from diagnosis, I could recount several episodes where I have returned from Mass exasperated and wondering how more complicated sharing in Holy Communion can get. Many queries and letters later, I am perplexed as to why there cannot be agreement and clarity…
Swedish law on prostitution informed by radical feminism
Dear Editor, In her article on Amnesty International’s stance on prostitution (IC 05/05/2016) Breda O’Brien mentions the Swedish prostitution law of 1999 which has been copied in certain other jurisdictions including our own. The key features of the Swedish law are, first, that it criminalises the purchase of sex but, second, it effectively liberalises its sale…