I’m a school principal. We need to talk about what First Holy Communion has become
If you ask about the religious aspect of the day then it is often brushed off as naive or beside the point
Catholic Church
Post-byelection squabble among left-wing parties does not inspire confidence for future
A new way of doing things helped lift Ireland out of the doldrums in the 1980s. We need another today
It wasn’t that my parents were strict; everyone went to Mass. You didn’t think about it
To be suddenly presented with a choice, to not do something I had been doing every Sunday of my life, felt distinctly weird
Pope Leo’s encyclical turns spotlight firmly on AI dangers
First encyclical from Pope Leo XIV comes as fears of AI’s power grow
Pope Leo urges new rules to ‘disarm’ artificial intelligence
In landmark encyclical, pontiff compares AI to nuclear power and urges global rules grounded in conscience and responsibility
Presbyterian Church is celebrating 100 years of women in leadership
Rite & Reason: In 1926, the Presbyterian General Assembly decided that ‘women shall be eligible ... as ruling elders on the same conditions as men’
How many would prepare for the Eucharist on their own time?
Let’s use school time to educate children
Taoiseach raises abuse redress by religious orders with Pope Leo
Micheál Martin offers help of Irish officials involved in peace process to Vatican Middle East efforts
First Communion is an important initial step in joining community receiving the Eucharist
It is the parents who want their children to be part of the Catholic community
Why does the Catholic Church continue to allow this annual charade?
Chocolate fountains, photo booths and balloon arches trigger an allergic reaction in me
One year into his papacy, it’s clear Pope Leo will be no quiet American
Rite & Reason: Even before becoming Pope, Leo was critical of Trump’s policies
Rome sees German Catholics’ new blessing regime as a curse
Red flag raised over blessing ceremonies for remarried and same-sex couples
Ordination of women as priests can no longer be deferred
Catholic Church not guided by first-century views on slavery – the same should apply to women
Honeymoon for Pope Leo will eventually come to an end. As it should
His role is not to act as a counterweight to Donald Trump
Readers remember the long campaign to build Galway Cathedral
From weekly collections to colourful local monikers
The Fallen - The Magdalene Laundries and Ireland’s Legacy of Silence: A perversion of any basic humanity
Louise Brangan’s fluent and deeply compassionate account makes a serious contribution to a subject that has still not been laid to rest
Pope Leo XIV is the right man at the right time
His calm pushback on US president Donald Trump’s might-is-right approach has had a powerful impact
Man banned from yoga studio after anti-Christmas comments loses religious discrimination claim
Man’s continued presence a threat to the ‘tranquillity and peacefulness’ fundamental to yoga, Workplace Relations Commission hears
Ordaining women will strengthen the Church, not diminish it
No convincing biblical impediment to their ordination, either
‘Could you imagine being known as the woman who hung up on the pope?’
Despite answering the security questions for his bank in Chicago, Leo was left unable to change his account details over the phone
Trump says Pope Leo is ‘endangering a lot of Catholics’ in continuing row over Iran war
US president launches fresh verbal attack on pontiff in advance of Marco Rubio’s visit to Vatican
May Day traditions in Ireland: Superstition, symbolism and the first long weekend of summer
Traditions span pagan beliefs, Catholic devotion and enduring Irish folklore
Role of Protestant churches in mother and baby institutions
Oppressive treatment of women and children crossed religious and social boundaries
Catholic weddings in Ireland drop by more than half in 10 years
Overall marriages also declined since 2014, as civil registrations and humanist ceremonies grow
Ireland hasn’t vanished over the past 50 years – it has simply changed
Rite & Reason: If a rule were introduced that only one income could be used for a mortgage, would house prices collapse?
Pope Leo is the religious leader non-believers needed
His opposition to Donald Trump and the war on Iran is only a part of what makes Leo a unique and important figure in our time
Rise of ‘new Catholics’ hardens battle lines between US and the Vatican
JD Vance’s recent comments reflect a growing movement of conservative believers promoting a more traditionalist, ethnocentric path
‘It’s a stereotype that Ireland is full of drinkers. It’s a problem all over the world’
Playwright and screenwriter Nancy Harris on her parents’ separation, the myth of family and her hit show The Dry
Bishop criticises ‘false’ depiction of Catholic schools as ‘grim places of indoctrination’
Groups funded by ‘ideological entities, many from outside the State’ are spreading distorted narrative, chair of bishops’ council says
‘Saving the family’ is really about putting women back in their boxes
An unholy trinity of conservatives, Christian nationalists and tech bros are planning to strip American women of their rights
School patronage: Can Hildegarde Naughton succeed where six other education ministers have failed?
Much of the opposition to divestment has been at local level, strongly felt and expressed, even by non-practising parents happy with the status quo
It is dangerous to play God – unless you’re God
Right before Pope Leo was elected, Trump put out a meme of himself as the pope
The audacity of newbie Catholic JD Vance lecturing Pope Leo is breathtaking
It has been disconcerting to see US Catholics belatedly turning on Trump. Where was the outrage before now?
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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