Young people must be central to the conversation about Irish reunification, the Primate of All-Ireland has said in his new year’s message. Archbishop Eamon Martin also warned that victims of the conflict in the North cannot be denied access to justice by controversial proposals from the British government on legacy issues. “As we begin a…
Month: December 2021
Pour money into education not wars, Pope pleads
Governments must pour more money into education and drastically reduce military spending for there to be genuine progress and peace in the world, Pope Francis has warned in his annual message for the World Day of Peace. “It is high time, then, that governments develop economic policies aimed at inverting the proportion of public funds spent on education and on weaponry,” the…
Archbishop Eamon supports fresh calls for border poll
The Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has said he would back a border poll. Dr Martin added that he “would like to see a united Ireland”, saying all the political leaders North and south must “open up questions of identity and belonging, and to honestly face them”. These questions of identity and belonging are…
One foot in Ireland, the other in the eternal city
The Vatican is one of the most interesting postings in the world that a diplomat can receive. A city-state, country and headquarters of the largest religion in the world, it defies easy definition. Despite these complexities, strong diplomatic ties with the Holy See are eagerly sought by nations all over the world, which means that…
Pope’s Urbi et Orbi warns against indifference to global tragedies
Giving his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing on Christmas Day, Pope Francis warned against the “wall of our indifference”, which is leading to “immense” tragedies being passed over in silence. Yet only those paths can lead to the resolution of conflicts and to lasting benefits for all” Speaking from the central balcony overlooking St Peter’s…
Mickey Harte: Sustaining the Faith and the GAA
The faith-filled behemoth of the GAA world Mickey Harte has always been open about the importance of religion in his life and how it has helped him through his darkest moments. As the New Year approaches, he spoke to The Irish Catholic about his hopes and new memoir Devotion. The Christmas and New Year period…
Desmond Tutu: ‘A warrior inspired by Christian faith’
Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been described as a “warrior” inspired by his Christian faith who fought against inhumanity and apartheid in South Africa, following his death over the weekend. Irish missionary Archbishop Liam Slattery OFM told The Irish Catholic Archbishop Tutu brought “humanity to what was an inhumane situation”. “He was one of the…
Parents owe it to children to pass on the Faith – Mickey Harte
Renowned GAA manager Mickey Harte has said Irish people owe it to their children to pass on the Faith, or even make them aware of it so they can make up their own minds. Mr Harte told The Irish Catholic there has been extra challenges for people of Faith over the last two years due…
When public health becomes a religion substitute
For almost two years now, and probably for months to come, our lives have been dominated by the pandemic and the restrictions it has placed on us. It has catapulted doctors, scientists and public health experts generally into positions of pre-eminence where their word can barely be questioned. Such an eventuality was predicted decades ago…
Co-opting consumerism to Catholic advantage
While Christmas Day may be behind us, for us Catholics, Christmas has just begun. Many of us mutter and grumble about the overwhelming commercialisation of the Christmas season in Ireland today, and often with good reason. It does seem as though Christ has been lost in the frenzied rush of buying, wrapping, partying and eating…