There is a concerted campaign to relegate religion to the shadows of Irish society, writes Fr Martin Delaney Recently I watched a US television interview with President Obama in the Oval Office of the White House. The interviewer from CBS mentioned to the president that she had heard he carries in his pocket some mementoes…
Category: Opinion
Catholic leaders weigh in on US Presidential election
“It takes courage to stand up and be counted against someone like Mr Trump”, writes Editor Michael Kelly I spent some time last month in the United States where election fever has already gripped the country. Voters don’t actually go to the polls to elect a new president until November 8, but eight months out,…
Don’t terminate – donate organs, urge British doctors
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…
Voters have rejected the abortion agenda
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…
American politics has a big impact on Ireland
“The clumsy nature of the campaign opened the way to more and more anti-establishment politicians”, writes Breda O’Brien I was talking to a shop owner the other day, who told me that when he despairs at the state of Irish politics, he looks at American politics and feels much better. Without wishing to plunge him…
Spotlight needed on culture of deference
The Church, BBC and Rotherham abuse scandals all have a culture of deference in common, writes David Quinn Spotlight, the film about how the Boston Globe helped uncover clerical abuse scandals, won the Best Picture award at the Oscars last weekend. The film is aptly named because the Boston Globe did put a spotlight on…
Parishes should look to sports clubs for inspiration on youth events
Dear Editor, I was intrigued to read a report in last week’s edition of The Irish Catholic (25/02/2016) describing how faith and sport were the “matrix” for strong and healthy parishes. Physical Therapist Gerard Hartmann hit the nail on the head when he described how faith and sport are “intertwined”. It’s a pity that more…
Abortion on ‘British model’ unacceptable
Dear Editor, In the Trinity College Long Room lies an original copy of the 1916 Proclamation. As I read the words that helped establish a Republic (on the Irish model) I could not help but reflect on the deep irony of parties like Sinn Féin and in particular the Labour Party calling for abortion based…
When is a ‘clump of cells’ human?
Dear Editor, Many years ago I asked a group of boys to name their favourite television show. The vast majority named The Incredible Hulk as the one that most took their fancy. In order to satisfy my curiosity I had to sit and watch a programme. The essence of what was to come was spoken…
Immediate need to establish a lay funeral ministry
Dear Editor, To cope with the diminishing and ageing celibate priesthood, there is an urgent need to lift as much as possible from some of the many liturgical duties that we expect them to lead us. Once such duty is funerals. Even in his diminishing strength and health we ask our beloved priest to come…


Michael Kelly
Mary Kenny

Breda O'Brien
David Quinn



