More bishops are pleading with their governments to give priority to ethically developed coronavirus vaccines, but many also are telling Catholics that not getting vaccinated is a more serious moral problem than using the problematic vaccines. Australia is among many governments trying to secure access to a Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford…
While orders for Eucharistic breads dried up, the nuns of Glencairn found themselves helping parishes in a new way by fielding calls from “lonely and isolated” priests who “miss their flock”. Normally tending to the bread production at St Mary’s Abbey, Sr Fiachra found herself providing much-needed conversation to priests who had been deprived of…
Everyday Philosophy The Unitarian Church on St Stephen’s Green used to have an eye-catching poster: it said something like: “We ask the big questions: we don’t preach answers.” They’re not the first to claim that as a badge of honour. Being more comfortable with questions than with answers is, for many, a mark of intellectual…
Despite the challenges, returning to the classroom is the right thing for children writes Ruadhán Jones It’s difficult to gauge the impact Covid-19 has had on young people, but the likelihood is that it will not be positive. While the physical threat the virus poses children is slim, the effects on mental health and wellbeing…
We are really struggling with managing our finances especially since our income has been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic. What advice to you have to help us to get back on track? The first thing to do is to sit down and budget. This requires an open communication with your spouse so you can both…
The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason. T.S. Eliot [pictured] wrote those words to describe how difficult it is to purge our motivation of selfish concerns, to do things for reasons that are not ultimately about ourselves. In Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral, his main character…
John Paul I Foundation names scientific committee The newly-formed Vatican John Paul I Foundation released a statement on Wednesday which states that on the 42nd anniversary of Pope John Paul I’s pontificate, they are pleased to communicate the members of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee. These persons were appointed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State…
A unique Sunday Vigil Mass was celebrated at Eoghan Rua GAA grounds in Portsteward, Co. Derry with about a 100-person strong congregation. It took place in mid-August on the club pitch. Attendees included Matthew who recently received his First Holy Communion and several parishioners who had been cocooning from the coronavirus who were attending Mass…
We Built Reality: How social sciences infiltrated culture, politics and power by Jason Blakely (Oxford University Press, £64.00pb/$99.00hb/ €23.00pb) Frank Litton In a world of uncertainty one thing is certain: Ireland has changed significantly over the last 50 years. The way to describe, or evaluate, that change is less certain. Jason Blakely’s well-informed and accessible account…
Personal Profile The battle for life in Ireland is a vicious one, but there are those out there looking to soften the hard edges it’s being fought with. Carolyn O’Meara is one of them, and she’s seeking to do so through her work with Gianna Care, an organisation that seeks to aid women experiencing crisis…
Ben Conroy
Ruadhán Jones
Wendy Grace
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Chai Brady