January The new year began with news that Mayo-born Fr Patrick Peyton – who died in 1992 – began his first steps towards formal sainthood, with Pope Francis having acknowledged his ‘heroic virtues’, decreeing him ‘venerable’. Known as the ‘Rosary Priest’, Fr Peyton organised massive Rosary rallies in cities around the world, enlisting the help…
Pro-life TD Peadar Tóibín has said he is overwhelmed by the huge turnout at his public meetings to launch a new all-Ireland political party. He said that many people are sick and tired of the stifling consensus in Irish politics. Mr Tóibín has been holding packed meetings on both sides of the border and told…
More people go to a church over the Christmas period than at any other time of the year. So, shouldn’t the churches use this opportunity to attract more church-going right through the year? Some might call this a modern marketing opportunity. St Paul would call it evangelisation. If I were a marketing consultant, I would…
A parish community has been left “shocked” after vandals kicked in a nativity crib and smashed a statue of the baby Jesus in an early morning attack on the religious scene, a local parish priest has said. The perpetrators of the attack, which occurred in Newbridge, Co. Kildare earlier this month, were identified on CCTV…
This was a terrible year for Ireland, writes David Quinn The year just gone will go down as one of the worst, morally speaking, since Ireland gained independence in 1922. May 25 – the date of the abortion referendum – will eventually be remembered as the day when a two-to-one majority of the Irish…
A school in the depths of a country torn apart by religious extremism would “dearly appreciate” an English teacher from Ireland to help rebuild the community, according to Archbishop Eamon Martin. The Archdiocese of Erbil in Iraq is rebuilding after ISIS destroyed towns and villages in the area and desecrated Christian sites and persecuted Christians.…
The View I was on the phone to a friend recently, discussing the sorry saga of the legalising of abortion in this country when she asked me whether I was reading much about it. I said no, I was considering how to decorate our home for Christmas, which I said was much more important. This…
Chai Brady compiles a list of seven sport stars to watch out for The world of sport can be a challenging one, with athletes often pushing themselves to the limits of their physicality, while some may be driven by hopes of fame and renown others put their faith in God and thank Him for…
In August, Pope Francis came to Ireland as part of the World Meeting of Families, visiting both Dublin and Knock. Prior to his arrival hundreds of volunteers had been working night and day to ensure that entire event was a success and an appropriate celebration for Irish families. On August 21, all 26 of Ireland’s…
The ‘progress’ of Irish society has come at a high price, writes John Waters There’s an essence of Ireland that does not reside in landscape, or institutions, that rarely manifests nowadays in formal culture. It’s to be encountered chiefly in fleeting encounters with people – benign explosions of mirth and knowingness that leave you changed…
Chai Brady
Mary Kenny
Colm Fitzpatrick
David Quinn
Maria Steen