Northern Ireland’s surge in people claiming to be non-religious is a reminder of just how much explanation is required when it comes to understanding unbelief, writes Jason Osborne The recent census results from Northern Ireland revealed an astonishing increase of 7.3% in those claiming ‘no religion’ – from 10.1% in 2011 up to 17.4% in…
Carol Glatz Pope Francis reconfirmed the leadership of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and expanded its membership from 17 to 20 people, naming 10 new members and reappointing 10 returning members. US Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, president of the commission, said, “Coming from all over the world with varied backgrounds and…
After only two days, the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court adjourned the trial of Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, 90, and four co-defendants, until October 26. The trial began September 26 and had been scheduled for five days, but the magistrate adjourned the trial when defence lawyers attempted to cross-examine police witnesses called by the…
Cracking the Egyptian Code: The Revolutionary Life of Jean-François Champollion by Andrew Robinson (Thames and Hudson, €14.99/£12.99) People often remark carelessly on what the sacred writings of the Bible and the New Testament “say”. They give little thought, as often as not, to the astonishing ability of being able to read a text in translation…
The Deep End: A Journey with the Sunday Gospels in the Year of Matthew by Tríona Doherty and Jane Mellett (Messenger Publications, €14.95/£12.95) Some readers may be familiar with the authors from their first book written together. Jane Mellett is an experienced pastoral worker, while Tríona Doherty is currently the editor of Reality magazine. God…
More than 30 men were sponsored by the Knights of St Columbanus for a faith-filled pilgrimage, Ruadhán Jones hears “Everyone I talked to said there’s great peace out here and I was hoping to get some peace,” says Giorgio*, one of the 32 men who went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje recently. “And I got…
Sweet Treats These humble muffins pack a big punch of flavour. The cinnamon and nutmeg make them warming, while the chocolate makes then comforting and slightly nostalgic. I find that I often have high ambitions of eating healthy when I buy bananas, and then promptly forget about them. While not exactly ‘healthy’, these muffins are…
There comes a time in life when it’s time to stop writing your resume and begin to write your obituary. I’m not sure who first coined that line, but there’s wisdom in it. What’s the difference between a resume and an obituary? Well, the former details your achievements, the latter expresses how you want to…
Vatican restricted East Timor archbishop after abuse allegations After a Dutch newspaper published an investigation into abuse allegations against retired Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo of Dili, the Vatican said it had become aware of the allegations several years ago and placed restrictions on him. The newspaper De Groene Amsterdammer said it began its investigation…
In just seven years, the Church in Ireland will mark the bicentenary of Catholic emancipation. Catholic relief in 1829 aimed to ease the restrictions on Catholics that had come about since the time of the English Reformation when King Henry VIII rejected the authority of the Pope and the widespread persecution of Catholics began. While…
Peter Costello
Ruadhán Jones
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Michael Kelly