Sometimes I shy away from worthy programmes because I’m not in the mood or I think they’ll be too sad or grim. Fortunately I resisted that temptation on Wednesday of last week. Unquiet Graves (RTÉ One) was indeed sad and grim, but it was also inspiring story about the thirst for justice. It told the…

Abby Johnson, former director of Planned Parenthood and convert to Catholicism, addressed the Republican National Convention in a video message that emphasized President Donald Trump’s actions for the pro-life cause. The outspoken pro-life advocate said: “For most people who consider themselves pro-life, abortion is abstract. They can’t even conceive of the barbarity…but for me, abortion…

Following the “frustrating” theft from their orchard, the sisters of the Priory of St Benedict in Co. Cork were delighted with the unexpected good that came of it. The priory in Cobh is home to an order of contemplative nuns, who welcome the public to their chapel and Bible Garden. But the sisters recently discovered…

As finance ministers representing the world’s wealthiest countries prepare to meet online, Caritas Internationalis has echoed Pope Francis’ call for debt relief to poor countries reeling from war, poverty and the coronavirus pandemic. Presenting the organisation’s annual report at an online media briefing on July 17, Aloysius John, secretary-general of Caritas Internationalis, said the debt…

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has assured the Minister for Education that schools under his patronage will meet “urgent provision” for units for autistic students, following a Government letter. Former Minister Joe McHugh sent a letter instructing 36 Catholic schools on the southside of the city to open special classes this September for students with autism. Archbishop…

A marriage counsellor at Accord says she is “not surprised” that divorce rates have remained largely the same since last year’s referendum on the terms for divorce in Ireland. New data provided by the Courts Service to Culture Minister Josepha Madigan last week shows no major variation in the number of divorces being granted. Mary…

Archbishop Eamon Martin has welcomed a decision by the northern Executive to lift coronavirus restrictions that had closed cemeteries in the region. Politicians were under increasing pressure to make the move and Archbishop Eamon was amongst Church leaders who appealed to the First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill on Thursday to…

My wife and I were test-driving an electric car the other day, when my 10-year-old son announced from the back seat, “This might be the car I learn to drive in!” He was right, too. He turns 11 this autumn, and we could easily keep the car for another six years. In six years’ time,…

A Doctor’s War by Aidan MacCarthy (Gill Books ex Collins Press, €11.19) This is a fascinating war memoir by a remarkable survivor, who attributed his safe-keeping to divine intervention. Aidan MacCarthy was born in Castletownbeare, Co. Cork in 1914. He was educated at Clongowes Wood College, which for his English readers he describes as “the Eton…