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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Bessborough mother and baby home was part of a system engineered to control female bodies, preserve male reputations and export infants like contraband. Picture: Jim Coughlan</p>

comment-analysis

Church and State tried to silence us, but Gen-X women had new tools

For survivors of Bessborough, Cindi Bonny's article was both mirror and megaphone, confirmation that what we lived through was real and an invitation to keep speaking, writes Nóra Flaherty

<p>Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, and Hristo Jivkov starred in Mel Gibson’s controversial film ‘The Passion Of The Christ’ in 2004. In casting Monica Bellucci as Mary of Magdala, Mel Gibson depicted her as a femme fatale — a woman whose beauty and sexual allure drew men to her, even Christ himself. </p>

comment-analysis

TP O'Mahony: Slander of Mary Magdalene was a deliberate choice by early Church

<p>We must urgently re-evaluate the cultural expectations placed upon women.</p>

comment-analysis

Joan Cronin: Free women often choose to remain child-free — why's that so hard to understand?

Woman, 50s, injured in alleged stabbing during mass at Waterford church

munster

Woman, 50s, injured in alleged stabbing during mass at Waterford church

Haircuts 4 Homeless: ‘What’s shared in the chair stays in the chair’

spotlight

Haircuts 4 Homeless: ‘What’s shared in the chair stays in the chair’

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Gareth O'Callaghan: There’s nothing modern about Latin Mass — that's why I love it

How Catholic Ireland's legacy still shapes our public toilet problem

How Catholic Ireland's legacy still shapes our public toilet problem

Marc deFaoite says Ireland's shortage of public toilets reflects a lingering legacy of Catholic-era attitudes and decades of neglect

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Survivor's burial claim reignites questions over missing children at Bessborough

Survivor's burial claim reignites questions over missing children at Bessborough

A woman born in Bessborough in the 1950s says that, as a child, she witnessed an illegal burial on the grounds of the notorious Cork mother and baby institution

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

St Augustine's Church in Cork overflows with emotion for its last-ever Mass

St Augustine's Church in Cork overflows with emotion for its last-ever Mass

There were tears as the Augustinians' 750-year history in Cork ended. But it was also a celebration of faith and good humour — including a moving rendition of 'The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee'

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Bessborough plan ‘inhuman’, Catherine Corless says at Tuam film premiere

Bessborough plan ‘inhuman’, Catherine Corless says at Tuam film premiere

Historian who uncovered the names of 796 children who died in the Tuam mother and baby home denounces plan to build apartments on Bessborough site in Cork

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

The St Augustine's Christy Ring chalice 'must remain in Cork'

The St Augustine's Christy Ring chalice 'must remain in Cork'

The hurling legend donated his eighth All-Ireland senior medal to St Augustine's Church — which celebrated its final Mass today — and it formed part of the base of a now-famous chalice

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Young School Boy With His Hands Clasped

Slow progress of divestment shows parents want a choice of schools — not to change existing ones

The school divestment plans first mooted in 2011 have been slow and underwhelming, because policymakers misunderstood a desire for choice as a desire for change, writes Anne Marie Kavanagh

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

Preparation to the post mortem examination.

Irish Examiner view: Technology removes need for full autopsy

Irish post-mortem services have deteriorated greatly in recent years, partially due to the increasing need, recruiting issues, poor working conditions, and a simple lack of motivation within the system

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

Catholic sect in Cork says prayers for Pope Leo after being excommunicated by pontiff

Catholic sect in Cork says prayers for Pope Leo after being excommunicated by pontiff

The Catholic Church considers the unauthorised ordination of bishops so serious that it causes those taking part in the ceremony to be automatically excommunicated

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Nominations sought for humanitarian award dedicated to life of Cork priest

Nominations sought for humanitarian award dedicated to life of Cork priest

In Nazi-occupied Rome during 1943/44, the Rome Organisation Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty created provided refuge and assistance to the hunted and oppressed

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Cork sect excommunicated by Pope Leo to celebrate Mass 'as usual' on Sunday

Cork sect excommunicated by Pope Leo to celebrate Mass 'as usual' on Sunday

Cork SSPX (Society of St Pius X) church to celebrate Mass ‘as normal’ despite their excommunication this week

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

US Declaration of Independence exhibition

TP O'Mahony: Liberty may live in our hearts, but it needs laws to protect it

Some may argue safeguards and guardrails of democracy have been blatantly breached by a president with scant regard for constitutional restraints, writes TP O’Mahony

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Noel Howard: The Cork divorce trial that gripped the Victorian world

Noel Howard: The Cork divorce trial that gripped the Victorian world

A landmark Victorian courtroom battle saw Lady Louisa Mount Cashell challenge convention and secure an extraordinary legal victory

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Cahirmee horse fair

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

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

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

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

Sr Colette joined the Good Shepherd Sisters over 90 years ago at the age of 17, and founded Edel House in 1972. She become Ireland's oldest living person just weeks ago

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

Bishop Leahy speech

Limerick Catholics call for stronger representation of women in the Church

In a letter read out at Masses in the Diocese, Bishop Brendan Leahy said 'the most urgent priority identified was the need to engage more deeply with young people and families'

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

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

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

The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland report says 115 respondents were deceased, while a further three were found to be 'in ministry'

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

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

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

Craig Clinton is continuing a decades-old street altar tradition in Shandon, honouring the deep faith and legacy of his late grandmother

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

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

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

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

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

Pope John XXIII Carried for Ecumenical Council Procession

TP O'Mahony: Sixty years on, Vatican II's business is still unfinished

The spirit of Vatican II may still live on, but its practical effects (with the exception of Mass in the vernacular) are increasingly difficult to discern, especially in Ireland, writes TP O'Mahony

Mon, 08 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