“As followers of Christ, we are called to speak up for the rights and dignity of asylum seekers and refugees … they are not to be targeted or penalised, abused or frightened,” the Archbishop of Dublin has said. “In the last two years, this country and others have welcomed, vast numbers of people fleeing the cynical war…
Bill Dodds On their wedding day, a bride and groom may have stars in their eyes, but they have rocks in their heads if they think their partner isn’t going to: Drive them nuts. Sometimes. Take them for granted. On occasion. Do something that truly hurts them. Once in a while. Husband does it…
Patricia Casey The sexual abuse of children by priests has been a huge stain on the life of the Catholic Church, particularly in Ireland, the United States and parts of Europe. It has damaged the wellbeing of its victims, leading some to take their own lives. It has ruined the reputation of Catholicism in…
Cardinal Kurt Koch January 5 and 6 marked the 60th anniversary of the meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. It was the first meeting between a pope and an ecumenical patriarch since the one between Pope Eugene IV and Patriarch Joseph II during the Council of Ferrara (1438-1439). This important…
An article shared by RTÉ Brainstorm sparked controversy among some readers after it asked whether the religious nature of common Irish phrases will pose a problem in a multicultural, secular society. The article by Dr Peter Weakliam of Fiontar and Scoil na Gaeilge at Dublin City University acknowledged the Catholic roots of common Irish phrases…
Euthanasia laws make people with disabilities feel like a burden, writes Dualta Roughneen I was listening to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Suicide today, Tuesday, February 16. Peter Kearns, representing the Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) was speaking about the negative implications for people with disabilities if the Government is to legislate for euthanasia,…
Fr Patrick Briscoe OP Sometimes you hope to be wrong. For example: A good friend that I made in college seminary discerned out of formation and began to pursue a relationship with a young woman. I didn’t think they were a match. I told him as much. (Graciously, he did not end our friendship…
Independent Senator Ronan Mullen has blasted Minister for Equality Roderic O’Gorman and his department for what he perceives is an unwillingness to disclose important information concerning the referenda in advance of it. Senator Mullen asserts that key insights from a wide-range of strands in society have not been released and lawmakers are suffering as a…
Irish citizens get a vote, but do we really get a choice? On many key issues, Ireland’s political parties are politically indistinguishable. Policy options that are considered perfectly normal in most Western states are deemed taboo in Ireland, and are not even discussed. The Irish people’s trust in politicians and the media is plumbing new…
Jenna Marie Cooper Q: Our daughter has totally given up going to church because of the relentless use of incense at each Mass. It doesn’t bother me but I do notice a lot of people in the congregation that obviously have problems with it. Since it causes breathing difficulties for many people is it…
Brandon Scott
Rory Fitzgerald