The pro-Palestinian disturbances on American – and other campuses – have been widely compared to the youthful demonstrations which helped to bring an end to the Vietnam war in the 1960s. Certainly, the protests against the American involvement in the Vietnam war were momentous (Australia and other allies also took part). Two Irish-American Catholic priests,…
An amendment that sought to protect silent prayer outside abortion clinics, proposed by Senators Sharon Keogan and Rónán Mullen, resulted in multiple senators insisting that “prayer is a personal thing” and that praying outside, even if the nature of the prayer is silent, “can easily be identified as protest”. The proposal was eventually defeated. Outlining…
Students generally perceive the religious ethos of their school positively, but were less likely than staff to perceive ethos to be important, a new study on school identity has shown. Some students saw their schools’ religious ethos as playing an important role in promoting awareness, tolerance, and respect, while others disagreed with the religious ethos…
Democracy in today’s world: can it survive? Adventures in Democracy: The Turbulent World of People Power by Erica Benner (Allan Lane, £25.00 / €29.50) This short book by political philosopher Erica Benner is a timely meditation on the nature of democracy, both ancient and modern. It is timely because democratic values are under threat everywhere today,…
As Ireland becomes increasing multireligious and multicultural, empathy to other faiths especially Islam is of great service to the common good writes Dr Niall Coll, Bishop of Ossory. Let me say how incredibly helpful it is to have such an excellent quantitative and qualitative study of important aspects of the shape of Catholic education in…
The Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, a consistent critic of the Congolese government and adviser to the Pope, has evoked the wrath of the Public Prosecutor General’s Office in the country as a consequence of several statements in sermons about the running of the country. The cardinal, who does not hold back with his…
A pathway running from the base to the summit of Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo has been officially opened after the completion of a three-year building project carried out by hand. Thousands of tonnes of rock and soil were removed from the Reek to make it safe and accessible, as well as protecting the mountain.…
In a wide-ranging interview, Pope Francis’s top diplomat said a recent vote by the European Parliament to style abortion as a fundamental right constitutes a “radical attack” on human life. “When life is attacked in such a radical way, you truly have to ask what kind of future we want to build,” said Italian Cardinal…
We need to let go of negative feelings that come from being offended, writes Mike Nelson What could be more essential to life than breathing – or forgiving? Breathing and forgiving: One follows the other. Forgiveness, as Jesus makes clear throughout his earthly ministry, is part of the deal for all who call themselves his…
When asked to open up about her most memorable moments in her life Riverdance dancer and captain Amy-Mae Dolan shared that getting the opportunity to perform in front of the Pope was one of the most career-defining highlights in her decorated Irish dancing career. Ms Dolan, who is from Aghyaran in Castlederg, Co. Tyrone, recalled…
Mary Kenny
Brandon Scott
Ruadhán Jones