Sport is one of those activities that I greatly approve of in theory, but, alas, in practice, find mostly rather boring. I applaud the wonderful principles behind that motto so often advanced in times gone by – notably by the religious orders in education – mens sana in corpore sano: a healthy mind in a…
As a student at the University of Toronto decades ago, I used to ride the subway downtown and, occasionally, would find myself sitting next to a man in full make-up, dressed in a mini-skirt and high heels. Raised in the sheltered suburbs, it was a bit of a shock but, having been taught to treat…
Dean Céitinn Following his election as Green Party leader, Roderic O’Gorman has signalled his intention to bring the Hate Speech Bill back into the legislative agenda. This was after months of speculation that the Hate Speech Bill would not proceed and die when this Dáil completed its term. However, renewed calls to proceed with the…
Eduardo Campos Lima An unprecedented wave of violence in Sierra Madre de Chiapas, the mountain region in the southern border of Mexico, has been causing deaths and famine among several communities. Earlier last week, hundreds of people fled to Guatemala. The Diocese of Tapachula, which includes parishes in the mountain communities caught in the middle…
After a strongly negative response from several thousand users, the Vatican quickly took down an online poll last week on the concept of “synodality”, which is at the heart of Pope Francis’s high-profile consultation process set to conclude in October with a Synod of Bishops in Rome. Published the morning of July 25, the poll…
The Notebook I was recently in Lourdes on pilgrimage with a number of my Dominican brethren and 86 fellow pilgrims. As readers of my column, you are well aware that this year we are marking the 800th anniversary of our Dominican presence on this island. Given the year that is in it I have been…
Reek Sunday took place on Sunday last, the final Sunday of July as usual. The crowds were big. As usual. Mass was said every hour from dawn until dusk at the top of the mountain. Those climbing the iconic mountain do so on the back of a 1,500 year history of pilgrimage. Many that climb…
Letter of the Week Opening ceremony shows ruling agenda conquers all Dear Editor, The opening ceremony of the Olympics prompted feelings of revulsion at the wilful impulse by France to traduce Christian culture in its opening ceremony. The Olympics are not the property of Ideologues to project their politics or to suborn the athletes of…
It’s hard to make any certain calls about American politics these days with something new and dramatic seeming to happen every time you turn on the news, but at the moment it looks like the presidential election will be fought between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s Vice-President. In the last few weeks, we have…
The late comedian, Robin Williams, once joked that politicians should be like professional sports stars: “They should wear sponsor jackets like Nascar drivers, then we know who owns them.” It is a good joke, and it’s not hard to imagine politicians with such badges on blazers. Even so, there are still noble men and women in…
Mary Kenny
Martina Purdy
David Quinn