The Language of Architectural Classicism: From Looking to Seeing,
These two very different books explore aspects of the same centuries long tradition in European architecture, which by extension into the colonies abroad, means worldwide. It is a tradition which has left its mark in many places in the form of classical style churches, which with many public buildings and private mansions, form an important […]
God’s silence in the face of evil
Theologians sometimes try to express the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection in one sentence: In the resurrection, God vindicated Jesus, his life, his message, and his fidelity. What does that mean? Jesus entered our world preaching faith, love, and forgiveness, but the world didn’t accept that. Instead, it crucified him and by that seemingly shamed […]
Juju ‘weaponised’ to enslave women in Ireland
African witchcraft is being used to traffic women, girls and men, hears Ruadhán Jones It may seem far-fetched in our rationalistic age to think that Juju, a form of African witchcraft, is being used to trap women, girls and some men in modern slavery in Ireland. But a webinar hosted by Irish religious orders… […]
How to be ‘distinctly Catholic’ in a polarised political world
The current political world can be dispiriting but there are ways in which you can affirm both faith and political beliefs, writes Charlie Camosy Kenneth Craycraft, associate professor of moral theology at Mount St Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati, Ohio, has a new book, Citizens Yet Strangers: Living Authentically Catholic in […]
Arbitrary rules erase children’s existence
Ireland’s policy for registering stillborn babies is regressive, writes Wendy Grace Hearing of any family who have had a stillborn baby would lead most people, I am sure, to empathise with the unbearable pain of losing a child. Of course, we want to do all we can to support any family in a time of… […]
‘We live in a very fragile and troubled world’ – Primate
The Primate of All Ireland has called on the faithful not to forget the Good News of the risen Christ despite “the seemingly intractable problems at home surrounding addiction, housing and migration”. In his Easter message Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh hailed the late sculptor Imongen Stuart, who died last week, and made a bronze […]
People with disabilities ‘bottom of food chain’ for Irish budgets
Ireland has regressed when it comes to disability rights, writes Dualta Roughneen The right to health is a fundamental part of human rights and of an understanding of a life with dignity. It is not new. Internationally, it was first articulated in the 1946 Constitution of the World Health Organisation (WHO), whose preamble defines… […]
Asylum seekers in tents will happen again warns Catholic charity
Unaccommodated asylum seekers living in “unacceptable and shocking living conditions” will be repeated if the Government doesn’t begin an emergency response, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ireland have warned. “The time for action is now” if Ireland wants to avoid a repeat of the “shocking, squalid and unsafe” living conditions 150 asylum seekers were living […]
Tug of war between Catholicism and politics
Catholicism and republicanism have long been uncomfortably intertwined, writes Martina Purdy For the Irish, the great Christian feast of Easter is somehow fused with the great rebellion of 1916. Patrick Pearse, who wrote the Proclamation, placed the Irish Republic under the protection of “the most High God.” How many Irish politicians would use… […]
How to Obtain the Unique Plenary Indulgence Jesus Offers on Divine Mercy Sunday
The Divine Mercy plenary indulgence is probably the most powerful grace you can receive all year. The feast of the Divine Mercy is the first Sunday following Easter Sunday. In Saint Faustina’s diary, Jesus explains how to obtain the unique graces on Divine Mercy Sunday: “The soul that will go to confession and receive Holy […]