Pope Benedict XVI is expected to announce that he is shortly to appoint new cardinals. But will Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin be among them? When Dr Martin – a career Vatican diplomat – was despatched from Rome in 2003 to take over from Cardinal Desmond Connell everyone though it was only a matter of time…

Archbishop John Charles McQuaid is entitled to the presumption of innocence, writes David Quinn Few figures in recent Irish history are more discredited than Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. In a certain narrow way, he was a very effective and energetic bishop in that he worked tirelessly to develop a diocese that served all the Catholics…

The huge work of priests and lay people in the sphere of child safeguarding can lay the ground for further Church renewal, writes John Morgan   A key admonition of Pope Benedict XVI to his brother bishops contained in the pastoral letter to the Catholics of Ireland in March 2010, declares that ”only decisive action…

  The Government has announced this evening that it has established a so-called ‘expert group’ to look at the issue of abortion. In December 2010 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Ireland must clarify the circumstances under which abortion would be legal in the State. However, crucially the case does not mean…

  A very impressive total of 75 TDs and Senators met with the Ireland Stand Up group yesterday which is campaigning in favour of the reopening of the Irish embassy to the Holy See. Most people don’t believe the Government’s claim that the embassy was closed for financial reasons. Most people believe it was closed for…

  With just 19 weeks to go to the opening of the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin a visit from Pope Benedict XVI seems increasingly unlikely. Well, at least to the Republic. But, the Pope could still make a visit to the North as part of a carefully choreographed sequence aimed at demonstrating just how…

Tyrone man devotes himself to pilgrimage   As Catholics there are many ways that we can show devotion to our faith. Regular attendance at Mass and perhaps voluntary work in our dioceses are ways that spring to mind immediately. Then there are pilgrimages. Year after year Irish people flock to significant religious destinations on the…

  Dublin’s Capuchin Day Centre is working to meet increasing needs, writes Paul Keenan Mid-way through his interview at the Capuchin Day Centre, gardai come for Bro. Kevin Crowley. The interruption and feigned admissions of guilt become a moment of levity in an otherwise serious dealing with the ongoing work of — and need for…

Wexford parish concludes year of service The faith community of St Martin, Piercestown and St Catherine, Murrintown in Co. Wexford came together last weekend to mark the conclusion of a successful Year of Celebrating Service. The idea for the special year came from the joint pastoral council formed in 2009 who were looking at ways…