An Illustrated History of the Irish Revolution 1916-1923 by Michael B. Barry (Andalus Press, €24.95) This is another illustrated history from the pen and press of Michael B. Barry. He has chosen in this one to colourise the images of the past. This is a process which most historians are sceptical about. As I have said…
The Malaysian Catholic Bishops have decried the deportation of nearly 1,100 Myanmar nationals back to their home country despite a court order banning the move. The country’s High Court on February 23 granted a temporary stay on the planned deportation of 1,200 Myanmar nationals who have been held in immigration detention centres while a proper…
Letter from Rome From the beginning, Pope Francis has been committed to financial reform of the Vatican. It was the first study commission he created, it was the first major appointment he made, and it’s been a constant of his papacy over what’s now almost eight years. Yet after all this time, Francis faces the…
We are called to look at our beloved, broken and beautiful earth and see the weeping face of God in it, writes Fr Daniel O’Leary You are away from your family. Your family is in trouble. You pray for the family. You hope the prayers will work. But you are still anxious. You decide to…
Mainly About Books by the Books Editor The other week, while writing about the long neglected topic of the thatched churches of Penal times, it struck me that this was an ideal subject for research, not only for local historians but by local people themselves. I had in the back of my mind the survey…
Mindful Living We have been exploring the depth of meaning in the John Main prayer which we say before meditation. The prayer is very simple and reads ‘Heavenly Father, open our hearts to the silent presence of the spirit of your son. Lead us into that mysterious silence where your love is revealed to all…
Two and a half years ago, Safa Al Alqoshy shared a heart-warming embrace with Pope Francis while in Rome to attend a Synod of Bishops on youth, before leaving the gathering early to care for his ailing mother. During their brief conversation, Al Alqoshy told Crux, the Pope “told me to have faith and he…
22-year-old Desmond Bane’s recent success in being drafted to the pro-basketball league can be attributed to his faith, according to Mr Bane himself. “It serves as my backbone when things are going great and not going great,” he said. “You always have it to lean on. I wouldn’t be where I am without it,” Mr…
A law to curb religious conversions done by force and fraudulent means was passed amid protests on February 24 in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2020, will replace an ordinance passed last November. The bill has a provision of imprisonment for up to…
Many of the readings in the early weeks of Lent have reminded us of God’s call to break the rod of oppression, to feed the hungry and care for the homeless poor, to learn to do good and to love our neighbour. I know people who live their lives faithful to this but they may…
Peter Costello
John L. Allen Jr.
Bairbre Cahill