In spite of the sometimes overwhelming challenges, it is important for religious to retain joy and confidence, writes Andrew O’Connell I’m writing this week’s Notebook from St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford where a hundred or so religious from across the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois have gathered for a conference hosted by Bishop Francis Duffy…

“A healthy society is one where different views can be held and the right to hold those views, subject to the common good, is cherished rather than resisted”, writes, Editor Michael Kelly The McArthur family, who run the Ashers Bakery Company in the North, are back in court this week to appeal an earlier finding…

Unfortunately it is the turn of the Catholics to be portrayed as the ‘creepy…smarmy’ baddies, writes Mary Kenny I remember some years ago seeing a cartoon depicting a Native American father and son, both wearing the head-dress of the Navajo (or Sioux) people. They were sitting in front of a cinema showing a movie depicting…

Separating faith from politics, suggests Christianity has nothing to say on social justice, writes David Quinn Many Catholics entirely separate their faith from their politics. It is a very strange move. It’s as if they believe the Gospel has nothing to say about the just ordering of society, which is ultimately what politics is about,…

“We want to build a sense of identity and mission that allows us to serve others, to bring God’s mercy”, writes Breda O’Brien At the weekend conference focusing on Pope Francis and the family, there was very little emphasis on ‘hot-button’ issues like same-sex marriage. Instead, there was a focus on building a strong sense…

A Vatican cardinal has confirmed that an increasing number of priests turn down appointment as bishop, writes Michael Kelly A joke popular in some clerical circles is to quip that anyone who wants to be a bishop deserves it. But, more often than not, many a true word is spoken in jest. Anyone intimately acquainted…

Christians are closer, but theological obstacles to unity seem to be multiplying, writes Martin Browne OSB The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is over for another year. I have more than a passing interest in this annual observance. Ecumenical prayer and cooperation have long been an important part of my own spiritual journey. Added…

Fr Bernard Healy Cebu congress hears that the Eucharist offers something to all cultures, writes Fr Bernard Healy As I leave Cebu after the 51st Eucharistic Congress, I realise that that it was the catechesis given by  the irrepressible Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila that best reflected my experience as an Irish pilgrim here in…

Religious leaders are working hard for peace across the Middle East, writes Paul Keenan “A truly great document. One that will influence our time and history.” If you cannot assign this quote – uttered just last week – to a leading prelate of the Catholic Church, you can hardly be blamed. Similarly, it might be…