Fr Martin Delaney reflects on a powerful memory
Instruments in the hands of somebody much greater
Category: Opinion
We’re afraid to speak out about morality in public
Michael Kelly
“No amount of depravation or social exclusion ever justifies the resort to criminality”, writes Editor Michael Kelly
Church has role in de-glamorising crime
Mary Kenny
“When life is tough, even drab, life as a big shot in the crime world can seem incredibly glamorous”, writes Mary Kenny
Britain leaving the European Union is an alarming prospect
Dr Martin Mansergh
“Smaller countries are aware of the difficulties that come from being isolated”, writes Martin Mansergh
Dynamically orthodox seminaries attract vocations: Is Maynooth one of those?
David Quinn
Fresh claims about the national seminary raise questions again, writes David Quinn
Irish Church needs to stop paying lip service to vocations
If seminaries obsess with an ‘ideal’ candidate, there’ll be very few priests in the future, writes Fr Gerard Dunne OP
Catholicism in England and Wales: crunching the numbers
Greg Daly
A recent report on Catholicism may make for grim reading, but should be welcomed, writes Greg Daly
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…
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…
Church should lead way to help refugees
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…