WORKING for Cardinal Desmond Connell, Archbishop of Dublin, meant that life was never dull or predictable.

IN August 2001, Mary Robinson made a dramatic gesture of solidarity with victims of anti-Semitism.

THE former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, came in for criticism recently over comments he made about Muslim culture.

TO JUDGE by recent newspaper reports, the Government has scored a remarkable diplomatic triumph. They have revived hopes for a European constitution. Where there was doubt, they seem to have brought faith.

IT’S manna from heaven for the Democrats. The testimony to the 9/11 commission given by former White House counter-terrorism official, Richard Clarke, is a gilt-edged opportunity to damage George W Bush.

NO doubt the George W Bush re-election campaign has already checked out John Kerry’s middle initial. The F, they’ll have discovered, stands for Franklin. It’s not a deed-poll trick by the Democrat challenger to make himself the next JFK.

NORMALLY, it’s the other way around. You see the words ‘archbishop’, ‘hurt’ and ‘remark’ and you can join the dots. Archbishop Connell must have spoken his mind again. Perhaps he’s made a comment on inter-communion or marriage, or some other touchy subject. The Irish Times is offended. Liberal theologians are lamenting. Outraged callers are ringing Liveline.

TIME will tell whether the feelgood factor in Fianna Fáil ranks translates into a good performance in June’s local and European elections.

THE Passion of Mel Gibson is almost over. Today is Ash Wednesday and his controversial film, The Passion of the Christ opens in cinemas across America. Irish cinemas will show it in early March.

ARE people with disabilities being manipulated in the embryo research debate?