Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin: Inventive exploration of identity, faith and family
Provocative, largely beautifully written debut novel somewhat marred by a dispensable final chapter
Religion & Beliefs
Fiction in translation: Figures in a landscape
Frank Wynne reviews Our City That Year, by Geetanjali Shree, translated by Daisy Rockwell; The Book of Sana’a: A City in Short Fiction, edited by Laura Kasinof; and The Accidentals by Guadelupe Nettel, translated by Rosalind Harvey
After the death of popular Pope Francis, what now for Christianity?
In Europe, after centuries of dominance, Christianity appears to be in retreat
I had to tell my mother that her father had been tortured for 11 days and murdered
Everyone who encounters the Holocaust becomes implicated, a new witness to the mystery and the horror, with the responsibility to recount its history honestly
Christopher Hill: The Life of a Radical Historian by Michael Braddick – A sometimes dry but sensitive account of Hill’s political developments
This new biography represents a robust synthesis of the life and ideas of one of Britain’s finest historians
Theodore McCarrick, disgraced cardinal defrocked over sexual abuse, dies at 94
Former Vatican troubleshooter and archbishop of Washington was expelled from priesthood by Pope Francis
How does a Buddhist respond in a world where might is right?
Rite & Reason: To sit down and meditate or kneel down and pray is possibly the most radical option we have. Finding silence and stillness reminds us that compassion is the only reasonable response
An Irishman abroad: ‘I’ve meditated in Bosnian mosques, Thai temples and Ukrainian Orthodox churches’
Peter Flanagan: 'Reminding us to breathe at our desks should not be a workplace perk'
Three things we give up when we turn away from Catholicism
Unthinkable: Asking whether we have lost something from our lapsed Catholicism is not about rushing back to the past. It’s about facing the future with greater self-awareness
From national journalism and lecturing in TU Dublin to living as a Buddhist priest
Lecturer and journalist Ian Kilroy has published a new book in which he describes his practice as a Zen Buddhist priest, and offers his perspective on the importance of Buddhist teachings
PSNI urged to move beyond ‘woke quota’ of 50-50 recruitment with Catholics reluctant to join force
DUP leader Gavin Robinson says ‘policing should be about ability, not religion’
Trends show rise in support for Irish unity among Northern voters
Northern Protestants remain overwhelmingly against unity but show growing losers' consent
Support for Irish unification growing in Northern Ireland, poll finds
While unity vote would be soundly defeated in North a growing number of unionists support the holding of a border poll
India’s Maha Kumbh Mela religious festival starts, with 400 million expected to attend
Nearly 15 million Hindu pilgrims attend first day of world’s biggest religious festival, held every 12 years
Plan to introduce foreign languages at primary level could ‘divert time from Irish’
New curriculum for primary schools draws contrasting reactions from teachers, parents and other stakeholders
The Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2025 is a time of celebration, an expression of praise to God
Rite & Reason: Pope Francis situates the need for hope in the challenging world of ‘gloomy discouragement and ill-concealed cynicism’
Monasticism in Ireland: AD 900-1250 by Edel Bhreathnach – A valuable contribution to the history of the Irish church
A scholarly work that seeks to deepen our understanding of Irish monasticism and its influence on church traditions
On Christmas Day, what family and friends believe about Christ will be irrelevant
Rite & Reason: What makes Christmas religious is that regardless of their specific beliefs, people come together to celebrate the mystery and beauty of life
Where to now for our declining churches? Younger clergy reflect on a brighter future
Exciting times are ahead for Christian communities, based on joy, hope, energy and finding context and relevance in contemporary society
Dublin school to review ethos statement over message telling parents students must attend all religious ceremonies
Lobby group Education Equality says school's instruction breached children’s constitutional rights
Southern Irish Protestants by Ian D’Alton: A work of great originality and scholarship
Author connects particular concerns, often focused on Cork Protestantism, with wider debates
Churches carry huge crosses as they try to move on from mistakes of past
Rite & Reason: All Churches face huge challenges moving on from terrible abuses into an advancing secularism
Why is there a Christian monopoly on chaplaincy in Irish institutions?
Rite & Reason: Iron grip that Christian denominations have over chaplaincy in Ireland cannot continue
Here’s why churches across Ireland will turn red next Wednesday
Rite & Reason: One in seven Christians in the world faces persecution or extreme discrimination because of their faith
I know how to behave in a church and I ticked the box for ‘Roman Catholic’ on the census. But I am not a Catholic
Rite & Reason: Going to church, attending Mass or engaging with the Catholic Church in any meaningful way has always felt, to me, like acting
Sexual violence kept secret by up to 80% of survivors but those who speak out offer them hope
Rite & Reason: Callers to Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s helpline often just want to verbalise their abuse once and will never call again. People like Kathleen Correia offer them great inspiration
Walking the Camino: ‘We spoke about the tension I felt when people spoke of God. I realised, as a gay man, I assume I’ll be judged’
The pilgrim walk is famous and cargoed with expectation. Ultimately it might help us find meaning within ourselves
In Good Time review: Methodist minister casts light on peacebuilding by church
The Rev Harold Good’s memoir illuminates the role of religious commitment in limiting conflict
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices