Really, I was only ever superficially aware of the disaster of Chernobyl. Yes, I remember when it happened in April 1986, and that it was awful, and indicative that the Soviet Union was hopelessly badly organised – something I had seen in visits to Russia and the USSR anyway. And I admired the work that…
State Papers Secrets of the powers that be During the late 1980s there was great concern about the role of sport in society and the creation of a National Sports Centre. The government commissioned a special report on the possibilities of developing sport in one of the released files, dealing with the role of…
Renowned boxing star Katie Taylor has said that every time she steps into the ring it’s like an “act of worship” over the weekend, and that she knows her future is in God’s hands. Speaking on RTÉ Radio One Extra, the lightweight world champion said that growing up in a Christian household and going to…
Five people were stabbed in a rabbi’s house on Saturday night in Monsey when a knife-wielding intruder entered the home during Hanukkah celebrations. The suspect was later arrested by New York police. Ramapo Police Chief Brad Weidel said the suspected attacker entered the residence around 10pm armed with a knife. It is understood those in…
Philosopher of the Heart: The Restless Life of Søren Kierkegaard by Clare Carlisle (Allen Lane, £25.00) Patrick Claffey This exploration of the tortured mind and faith of Kierkegaard is a challenging title with which to begin a fresh year of reading. Clare Carlisle opens her preface to this book on the philosopher with a reference…
Chai Brady speaks to Malachi Cush about recovery, prayer and New Year hopes Gaining consciousness and looking up at the sky after his body had been dragged and torn in an horrific event, a renowned Irish musician and broadcaster thought his time was up, but the prayers of the Faithful were on his side. Malachi…
State Papers Secrets of the powers that be Capital punishment in Ireland passed into history in 1990 – having already been largely made redundant. However, in tidying up the related files in the Department of the Taoiseach two files were revealed, which are now released and which cast an interesting perspective, not only on…
Chilean Church leaders have called for Catholics to respond with prayer and solidarity to aid about 1,000 people who lost their homes in fires that swept through hillside neighbourhoods around the southern port city of Valparaiso on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Bishop Pedro Ossandon Buljevic, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Valparaiso, urged Catholics to…
There’s a Latin axiom which argues that there’s no accounting for taste, de gustibus non est disputandum. I reference it as a preamble to my annual list of the 10 books I most enjoyed this past year because, admittedly, taste is somewhat subjective. I chose these particular books because they’re the ones that spoke most…
It can be tough sticking to your New Year Resolutions but they are achievable, writes Colm Fitzpatrick All of us are guilty now and again of putting something on the long finger; we’ll start that daunting diet next week, clean the car at the end of the month, or look for a new and…
Mary Kenny
Chai Brady
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Colm Fitzpatrick