Dear Editor, Re Cathal Barry’s article ‘Taking Pope Francis to the classroom’ (IC 19/11/2015), the lesson itself as described was significantly successful in most aspects. A lesson on the environment and contemporary issues was conducted in the context of Catholic values. Under this approach the issue/subject at hand is explored without violence to its innate…
Category: Opinion
Combining two dimensions of Christ’s ministry is difficult
Dear Editor, In the course of the interview with Mary McAleese ‘There’s something about Mary’ (IC 12/11/2015) she stated “My views are founded emphatically in the Gospel”, before going on to explain in beautiful language that her faith in Christ is “the essence of my being”, “the love of Christ, his offer of mercy to…
Mrs McAleese is not a bridge builder for the Church
Dear Editor, I read with interest Martin O’Brien’s interview with Mary McAleese in your November 12 edition. He was high in his praise and admiration of her. We all admired her many good qualities, her courage and determination, her intelligence, her eloquence and not least her commitment to build peace between the two communities she had such…
Preaching on Pope’s Laudato Si’
Dear Editor, How many priests in Ireland have preached about the Pope’s encyclical, Laudato Si’? How many bishops have urged the priests in their dioceses to speak about the encyclical? How many parishes have devoted time to reflecting on and acting on Laudato Si’? Just curious. Yours etc., Fr Joe McVeigh, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh.
Thanksgiving and praise
The Church teaches that the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, writes Cathal Barry
Overpowering light can seem like darkness
When I first began teaching theology, I fantasised about writing a book about the hiddenness of God. Why does God remain hidden and invisible? Why doesn’t God just show himself plainly in a way that nobody can dispute? One of the standard answers to that question was this: If God did manifest himself plainly there…
A creative pioneer of the media
“For Gerry Reynolds, the unity of the Churches was nothing less than sharing the Body of the Lord at the common table”, writes Fr Brendan McConvery
Religion is vital to understanding an extremely complex world
“religion is an important fact of life in the world and that Marian devotion is a central part of the faith of many believers”, writes Editor Michael Kelly
Europe must protect the Christian foundations of its civilisation
“Religion is meant to inspire mankind to the highest purposes, not to lead to their diabolical perversion”, writes Dr Martin Mansergh
Who got it right on divorce?
Twenty years after the divorce referendum, David Quinn looks at what predictions came true

Courtney McGrail
Cathal Barry
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Michael Kelly
Dr Martin Mansergh
David Quinn