Really Rotten Rhymes poems by Gabriel Fitzmaurice, illustrations by Alice Coleman (Mercier Press, €14.99/£13.99) This is a book filled with the rude vitality of childhood, with equal measures of both qualities. It makes a wonderful read for those who have children still around them, or can remember anything at all of their own early years. This…
Letter from Rome This week I participated in a panel discussion here in Rome to present a new book by a friend and colleague, Edward Pentin, titled The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates, to be published by Sophia Press on August 4. As I said that night, the book reflects a fairly conservative view on…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD offered congratulations to the new Taoiseach and ministers, but criticised generalities and indecision in the Programme for Government (PfG). Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Tóibín congratulated Taoiseach Mícheal Martin on his appointment and said that he and his ministers “have been given offers so much opportunity for you and if…
Living Laudato Si’ Jane Mellett These have been extraordinary months across the world. Slowly and cautiously we are emerging from the Covid-19 restrictions and it is vitally important that we do not get complacent. The virus has not gone away and each of us are responsible for ensuring that we protect ourselves and each other…
We sat huddled by the fire as the rain lashed relentlessly against the windows. My wife was treating one child for mild hypothermia and another for sunburn. We were, of course, on a traditional Irish summer holiday. The most accurate predictor of rainfall in June is the scheduling of the school holidays. It is an…
He taught us how to pray while not knowing how to pray – that’s a comment sometimes made about Henri Nouwen. It seems almost contradictory to say that. How can someone teach us to pray when he himself doesn’t know how? Well, two complexities conspired together here. Henri Nouwen was a unique mixture of weakness,…
The Red Army may have ended a silverware famine by being crowned Premier League champs at the weekend, but Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp took it all in his stride. He has revealed that he is devout and the Christian Faith has helped him to deal with both success and failure on and off the pitch.…
Medical Matters The search for therapies for Covid-19 has led scientists to explore an array of drugs ranging from expensive anti-virals and anti-inflammatories to anti-malarials (hydroxychloroquine) and even anti-helminthics (use to treat parasitic worms). Despite this, the potential role of something much more simple – ‘vitamin D’ in either helping to prevent infection or reduce…
Pope says world needs fewer complainers Some people always will want to destroy unity and stifle prophets, Pope Francis said on the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. And yet, Jesus challenges everyone to be – like Peter – a rock for building a renewed Church and renewed humanity, and – like Paul – a…
Dear Editor, As the dioceses and parishes prepare to open up their churches and cathedrals again, albeit in restricted measures, I am sure many would join with me in thanking the many priests, bishops, religious, deacons and faithful who continued to minister to us during the weeks of lockdown. Through their creative usage of modern…
Peter Costello
John L. Allen Jr.
Ruadhán Jones
Rory Fitzgerald
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Dr Kevin McCarroll