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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Louise O’Keeffe invested 16 years of her life in the fight for justice after she was the victim of sexual abuse in Dunderrow National School, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan</p>

spotlight

How the Louise O’Keeffe case exposed the State’s response to child sexual abuse victims

Nearly three decades after Leo Hickey’s conviction, survivors say the State continues to resist meaningful accountability and redress

<p>Lady Louisa Mount Cashell gave a very impressive performance while cross-examined 'with a ruthless brutality'.</p>

comment-analysis

Noel Howard: The Cork divorce trial that captivated Victorian Ireland — and the woman who defied the odds to win

<p>Tributes have been paid to Cork nun Sister Colette Hickey, who has passed away at the age of 108, just weeks after becoming Ireland’s oldest living person. File picture: Dan Linehan</p>

munster

Tributes after death of 108-year-old Cork nun Sr Colette Hickey, who was Ireland's oldest woman

Bishop Leahy speech

munster

Limerick Catholics call for stronger representation of women in the Church

Church doesn't know how many of last year's 178 abuse allegations were previously known, report says

court and crime

Church doesn't know how many of last year's 178 abuse allegations were previously known, report says

Keeping the faith: Cork man carries on grandmother’s Eucharistic tradition

munster

Keeping the faith: Cork man carries on grandmother’s Eucharistic tradition

The story of Pope Leo’s ‘landmark’ text on AI technology — by a member of its launch panel

The story of Pope Leo’s ‘landmark’ text on AI technology — by a member of its launch panel

Pope Leo’s text examines what it means to be human in an AI-driven world

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026

APTOPIX Vatican Pope

The Pope has moral power but won't set the global agenda on AI

The lever of capital, and the institutions that control it at scale, may be our era’s most important and least understood governance actors

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Leo XIV

S Sarah Harte: If we can’t make AI work for us, I’ll meet you at the barricades

Meta's layoffs of Irish staff, Geoffrey Hinton's fears about AI, and Pope Leo's encyclical have all raised fears about AI this week

Wed, 27 May, 2026

A crucifix on a book against the background of a chalkboard

Primary schools to find out next week if parents want to drop religious ethos

The first national primary school survey found that 40% of parents with children attending religious-run schools do not wish to retain their school's religious ethos

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Rosary in Girl's hands

Letters to the Editor: Religious education can open up a sense of wonder

Several readers responded to Aoife Cassidy's opinion column about religious education in schools — and, as ever, what they have to say may surprise you

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Cork Eucharistic procession to welcome relics of 'God's influencer' St Carlo Acutis

Cork Eucharistic procession to welcome relics of 'God's influencer' St Carlo Acutis

A piece of the heart of St Carlo Acutis, canonised in September last year by Pope Leo XIV, is among items that will travel to different locations across diocese as part of 100th anniversary of Eucharistic procession in Cork.

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Micheál Martin invites Pope Leo to visit Ireland during state visit to Vatican

Micheál Martin invites Pope Leo to visit Ireland during state visit to Vatican

But Martin may not be in office for such a papal visit: Taoiseach's Paris and Rome trip during a by-election campaign comes amid rumours he may step down as party leader after Ireland's EU presidency

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates Mass At Nationals Stadium

Aoife Cassidy: School sacraments have no place in modern education

'The entire spectacle is sustained by a primary education system still structurally organised around religious dominance'

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Cameroon Africa Pope

Pope Leo ‘endangering a lot of Catholics’ with Iran stance, Trump claims

The remarks come two days before Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, meets Leo at the Vatican

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Limerick diocese puts land between city schools up for sale for €2.27m amid financial strain

S Limerick diocese puts land between city schools up for sale for €2.27m amid financial strain

The 5.6-acre greenfield site, which is zoned for housing, is being sold to address 'sustained' budget deficit in the diocese

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Religious patrons to have 'ultimate say' on ethos of primary school, says minister

Religious patrons to have 'ultimate say' on ethos of primary school, says minister

It comes after a landmark survey found strong demand for more multi-denominational education

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

A crucifix on a book against the background of a chalkboard

73% of parents with children in single-sex primary schools favour move towards co-education

40% of parents with children attending religious-run schools do not wish to retain their school's religious ethos

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

TOPSHOT-ISRAEL-US-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT-TRUMP

Colin Sheridan: 21st century would be incompatible with a modern-day Jesus

If Jesus were alive today, it is hard to believe his message would be well-received, writes Colin Sheridan

Sat, 04 Apr, 2026

Colin Sheridan: For the faithful, to visit the Holy Land is to inhabit two timelines at once

Colin Sheridan: For the faithful, to visit the Holy Land is to inhabit two timelines at once

The last days of Jesus are rooted in places that still exist but they are part of the most contested landscapes in the world

Fri, 03 Apr, 2026

Hundreds of students apply to study at US‑run third‑level campus in former Mount Melleray

Hundreds of students apply to study at US‑run third‑level campus in former Mount Melleray

Florida-based Ave Maria University is offering students the chance of 'a transformational semester of prayer, study, work, and adventure'

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

The Pat Kenny Show review: A confident start with politics, sport and science on the agenda

The Pat Kenny Show review: A confident start with politics, sport and science on the agenda

Veteran broadcaster launches revamped weekend slot on Newstalk with a wide-ranging mix of politics, sport, science and listener interaction

Sat, 07 Mar, 2026

Symbols of religion : bread and wine

David O'Mahony: Reaching milestones reminds me time is what you make of it

Small people have their own way of interpreting the universe and, most of the time, it’s a lot more interesting than what we’ve collectively — if grudgingly — agreed constitutes adulthood

Sat, 07 Mar, 2026

Clodagh Finn: A woman’s toolkit for change for the next 100 years

Clodagh Finn: A woman’s toolkit for change for the next 100 years

As we mark International Women’s Day, a new book looks at how women overcame the barriers and restrictions imposed on them

Sat, 07 Mar, 2026

Ireland among most religious countries in Europe, new study finds

Ireland among most religious countries in Europe, new study finds

New research shows Ireland remains highly religious, with notable growth in faith practice among young adults

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Order which owns Cork's St Augustine's Church describes its closure as 'akin to a death'

Order which owns Cork's St Augustine's Church describes its closure as 'akin to a death'

The church’s closure will bring to an end the order’s presence in Cork, which dates back 755 years to the foundation of Red Abbey in the South Parish.

Sat, 28 Feb, 2026

St Augustine's Church in Cork city centre to close this year

St Augustine's Church in Cork city centre to close this year

Once visited by Pope Leo, St Augustine's Church is set to close, with the decline in vocations to the priesthood behind the decision

Fri, 27 Feb, 2026

LA inspired by murdered Cork bishop to create education curriculum about peacemakers

LA inspired by murdered Cork bishop to create education curriculum about peacemakers

The project called Blessed are the Peacemakers will feature clips and videos from Bishop David O’Connell's life

Tue, 24 Feb, 2026

'I have no desire to go anywhere': Inside the enclosed community of Tyburn nuns in Cork

S 'I have no desire to go anywhere': Inside the enclosed community of Tyburn nuns in Cork

Officially known as the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmartre, the nuns form part of a cloistered Benedictine contemplative order dedicated to perpetual Eucharistic adoration

Sun, 15 Feb, 2026

Pope Leo XIV Holds Epiphany Mass and Jubilee Closing

Will Pope Leo speak truth to power to Donald Trump?

The Vatican's money problems mean Pope Leo’s freedom to act as an independent moral player on the world stage is compromised

Mon, 02 Feb, 2026

'A time of great hope': Former engineer is looking forward to his first Christmas as a priest

'A time of great hope': Former engineer is looking forward to his first Christmas as a priest

52-year-old Stuart McGovern worked in telecoms and ran his own firm but always wanted ‘more than what the world had to offer’ — a quest that has led to his ordination as a Catholic priest

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

AUSTRIA-CHURCH-RELIGION-SOCIAL-NUNS

Rebel nuns who fled care home and broke into convent can stay — if they give up social media

Catholic authorities in Austria say three nuns in their 80s who broke out of care home can remain in their Salzburg convent

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Sarah Harte: Church's dismissal of Our Lady as a co-redeemer seems like bad PR

Sarah Harte: Church's dismissal of Our Lady as a co-redeemer seems like bad PR

The Catholic Church seems determined to take the least popular path — latest for the chop is the concept of Our Lady's role as a co-redeemer

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Clodagh Finn: Imagine a Church in which Sr Stan had been a bishop

Clodagh Finn: Imagine a Church in which Sr Stan had been a bishop

It is time that the work of women who improved so many people’s lives is at least acknowledged in the hierarchy of the Church they served

Sun, 09 Nov, 2025

Irish Examiner view: Security at Ipas centres needs review

Irish Examiner view: Security at Ipas centres needs review

To terrorise innocent people in this way is almost beyond comprehension and there is little by way of consolation in the fact that the forces of law will inevitably catch up with the person responsible

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

King and Queen state visit to the Holy See

Quiet unifier Pope Leo looks likely to lead buttoned-up papacy

Unlike his fellow countryman, who bestrides the world stage like a blond colossus, the ‘new’ Pope continues to hide his light under a bushel six months in, writes TP O’Mahony

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Ballyea v Clooney Quin - Clare County Senior Club Hurling Championship Semi-Final

S Christy O'Connor: Young talent on show in county final a reflection of Clare’s exciting future

Over the last six years, no manager has given league and championship game time to more players than Clare boss Brian Lohan.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Éamon de Valera and Archbishop McQuaid

Presidential oath means only Christians need apply

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has expressed concern over Ireland's constitutional oath. Simon Tierney asks why we aren't changing it

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Pope Leo XIV declares 15-year-old computer whiz, known as ‘God’s influencer’, a saint

Pope Leo XIV declares 15-year-old computer whiz, known as ‘God’s influencer’, a saint

Leo canonized Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006, during an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square before an estimated 80,000 people

Sun, 07 Sep, 2025

Priest criticises Tuam excavation describing nuns who ran mother and baby home as 'outstanding'

Priest criticises Tuam excavation describing nuns who ran mother and baby home as 'outstanding'

Appearing to question the decision to carry out excavation works in Tuam, Fr Brendan Kilcoyne asked whether anyone knew where 'the 60,000 Irish children who have been murdered since abortion was brought in' were buried

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025

Italy Pope

Pope Leo XIV prays for peace as US-Russia summit over Ukraine war gets under way

Pope Leo XIV prayed for a peaceful end to the “increasingly deafening violence” of wars around the world as he celebrated a Catholic feast day on the same day as a high-stakes US-Russia summit over the war in Ukraine.

Fri, 15 Aug, 2025

APTOPIX Italy Pope Youths Jubilee

Pope Leo urges crowd of one million young Catholics to ‘spread enthusiasm and faith’

The young people camped in sprawling fields south-east of Rome overnight after attending a vigil service for the Jubilee of Youth on Saturday

Sun, 03 Aug, 2025

Papal visit to UK - Day Four

Pope to bestow one of Catholic Church’s highest honours on John Henry Newman

Pope Leo XIV has decided to declare St John Henry Newman a “doctor” of the church, bestowing one of the Catholic Church’s highest honours on the deeply influential 19th century Anglican convert who remains a unifying figure in both the Anglican and ...

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

Reek Sunday climb: Why Croagh Patrick still draws pilgrims despite Ireland’s secular shift

Reek Sunday climb: Why Croagh Patrick still draws pilgrims despite Ireland’s secular shift

Pilgrims of all ages are expected to scale Croagh Patrick this weekend, continuing a 1,600-year-old tradition of faith and resilience

Sun, 27 Jul, 2025

Fergus Finlay: Thanks, but no thanks — some apologies not worth the paper they're written on

S Fergus Finlay: Thanks, but no thanks — some apologies not worth the paper they're written on

Fergus Finlay replies to a letter from the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God after Brother Aidan Clohessy was jailed last week for four years for indecently assaulting two boys in the 1980s

Tue, 01 Jul, 2025

Bishop leads tributes after death of Fr Oscar O’Leary

Bishop leads tributes after death of Fr Oscar O’Leary

Bishop Fintan Gavin paid tribute to the late priest who had ministered to Cork’s Traveller community for more than three decades

Mon, 30 Jun, 2025

'I don’t forgive you but I don’t judge you': Ex-school principal jailed for indecently assaulting six boys

'I don’t forgive you but I don’t judge you': Ex-school principal jailed for indecently assaulting six boys

The injured parties were aged between 10 and 13 when Aidan Clohessy's offending took place at St Augustine's School, Blackrock, Co Dublin

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

Thousands take part in Cork's Eucharistic Procession amid 'a very uncertain world'

Thousands take part in Cork's Eucharistic Procession amid 'a very uncertain world'

One participant who spoke to the 'Irish Examiner' echoed Bishop Fintan Gavin's sentiments, saying: 'More people are looking to God as the world is such an unsafe place now'

Sun, 22 Jun, 2025

Establishment of 24-hour adoration is 'a real sign of hope' for the church, says Cork bishop

Establishment of 24-hour adoration is 'a real sign of hope' for the church, says Cork bishop

Access to the night-time chapel is controlled via a fob, with security systems and procedures in place

Fri, 20 Jun, 2025

Good Friday Service in Chicago

Number of historical abuse allegations against Church rise by over 50% in a year

It is the highest number of new allegations in any reporting period since figures began to be published annually in 2009

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025