Tyler Arnold Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich praised the boldness and the faithfulness of the Catholic Church in Africa after a pilgrimage the prelate took to the west African country Benin last week, particularly after the continent spoke out against the Vatican’s decision to bless same-sex couples last December. “The Church in Africa is a Church that…
Part 2 of a new series on Faith in modern Ireland with Eoin McCormack Have you ever found yourself in the often-awkward position in work or in another other social setting where you are somehow elected the spokesperson for all things Catholic? Over the next few weeks, this column will explore how we can better…
The release by the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life of a new booklet on end-of-life issues ‘Small Lexicon on End of Life’ comes at a time when the final stages of life are subject to increasing scrutiny – both in Ireland and abroad. The booklet continues to offer a clear “no” to euthanasia and assisted…
Letter of the week Reform broken system to save children Dear Editor, A Tribunal of Inquiry into the State and ministerial neglect of children under the care of Tusla may not be enough [The Irish Catholic – August 22, 2024], a complete rehaul of Tusla is in order and the General Election can’t come fast…
Notebook spend a lot of time on social media, sometimes I fear, too much time. Technology and communications have always held an interest for me so, in many ways, it is perhaps natural and understandable that I would pursue these interests and social media sits squarely in that space. For many years I have had…
When Maud Gonne MacBride – our national icon, and forever muse to Yeats – attended a socialist political meeting in London in her youth, she was dismayed by the outcome. After being addressed by Scots socialist leader Keir Hardie, the crowd of trade unionists and fiery socialists assembled in Trafalgar Square affirmed their commitment to…
It has been reported that religion was the most popular choice by secondary school students as the subject they would “like to see more of” in school. In a survey carried out by Amárach Research, religion came out top at 34% with psychology and drama “also mentioned frequently.” This is a very welcome statistic, particularly…
Fr Paul Murphy, the army chaplain stabbed multiple times on his way into Renmore army barracks in Galway last Thursday night, was very fortunate to escape with his life, and it seems, without any long-term, life-altering incidents. The alleged assailant was a 16-year-old who cannot be named because of his age. Gardai have established that…
Three decades on from the IRA ceasefire, it’s right to recall the role played by prominent priests writes Michael Kelly It would become an iconic image of the terrible civil conflict on our island we euphemistically call ‘the Troubles’. Redemptorist Fr Alec Reid kneeling reciting the last rites for two British soldiers who had just…
A Dubliner, who liked a jar, was courting a Belfast woman in the eighties and was delighted when she invited him and his friends to Clonard. It was Sunday, and having enjoyed themselves the night before, they rushed to get ready – only to find that Clonard was not a local pub, but a monastery.…
Mary Kenny
David Quinn
Michael Kelly
Martina Purdy