Michael KellyMichael Kelly welcomes Government U-Turn
Category: Opinion
Authority is at the heart of divisions between Christians
David QuinnDavid Quinn tackles the concept of Christian unity
Holy days and Catholic schools
Dear Editor, Mary Brien’s letter (IC 16/1/14) raises interesting questions about the desirability of Catholic schools opening on Holy Days. As a former Catholic secondary school principal it was my responsibility to advise our board of management on school holidays. With the support of the Catholic school community, which we served, our school always opened…
What the new cardinals tell us about the future
Michael Kelly assesses the Pope’s recent ‘red hat’ choices
Building a new nation
Great work is being done in South Sudan
Gaining a sense of solidarity
Mary KennyI spent a lovely couple of days last week in Killarney, where I was asked to address the priests, and a couple of bishops, in the Diocese of Kerry. Kerry people are always welcoming and Killarney itself really does live up to its reputation of outstanding beauty, so it was a pleasing interlude indeed. Sometimes…
The Non-Violence of God
Fr Ronald RolheiserIn his deeply insightful book, Violence Unveiled, Gil Bailie takes us through a remarkable section of the diaries of Captain James Cook, the famed British scientist and explorer. Visiting the Island of Tahiti in 1777, Cook was taken one day by a local tribal chief to witness a ritual where a man was sacrificed as…
Picturing an inclusive Church
Dear Editor, I was interested to read David Quinn’s piece ‘Why the Church cannot be all inclusive’ (IC 2/1/14). I’d like to take up two points in relation to his thoughts: 1.That “horrible and impossible to contemplate turn of events” that he fears, has already taken place. The fact is that God Himself is ‘pro-choice’…
Catholics, faith and the ‘Francis effect’
Dear Editor, Regarding ‘The Francis effect bringing people back to the Church (IC 14/11/13), the impact of Pope Francis on Catholics and non-Catholics alike has been heart-warming, impressive and very positive. I would be concerned, however, that the religious practice of a considerable number of ‘returned’ Catholics appears to be based on the personality of one man.…
Holy Days and Catholic schools
Dear Editor, As I understand it, there are six days in the Church’s calendar, as well as Sundays, which are designated Holy days of Obligation in the Irish Church. These are: December 8, Feast of The Immaculate Conception; Christmas Day; St Patrick’s Day; August 15, Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary; November 1,…