With no radio, the ship’s captain had no way of knowing he was in Tralee Bay three days earlier than expected, writes Ryle Dwyer

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

A self-respecting nation should relieve the burden imposed on the most vulnerable writes Michael Clifford

Being a Christian can often bring “ridicule, condemnation, or even persecution” according to the primate of all Ireland.

Pope Francis entered the final busy days of Holy Week by acknowledging the exhaustion that priests like himself can feel — but made no mention of doctors’ warnings that he needs to mind his health by eating less pasta.

As Good Friday arrives, the Irish public are once again split on the tradition banning the sale of alcohol during the religious festival.

A few days ago an event was announced for Holy Thursday’. 

Pope Francis, starting four packed days of events culminating in Easter, said the Church must always be a refuge for the poor, the homeless, and the sick.

The sick, elderly and bereaved in the diocese of Cork are suffering as there are not enough priests to cater for their spiritual needs.

Two sensational concerts by the CSO, Vanbrugh Quartet and Camerata are planned for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, says Declan Townsend

Pope Francis celebrated a trimmed-back Easter Vigil service after having reached out to Muslims and women during a Holy Week in which he began to put his mark on the Catholic Church.

The Crafty Butcher, who was proving very costly to follow, finally got his act together for Ruby Walsh when taking the Holy Thursday Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday.

Pope Francis is to celebrate a mass on Holy Thursday in a youth detention centre in Rome where he will wash the feet of prisoners.

If similar surveys were undertaken in other countries, the results would be pretty much the same, writes Fr Seán McDonagh

Dissent in the Catholic Church, especially from members of the clergy, invariably elicits a mailed fist reaction from the Vatican. The move to silence Fr Tony Flannery, founder of the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) in Ireland, is but the latest example of a ruthless and outdated policy of muzzling those who speak out.

The founder of the Association of Catholic Priests, Fr Tony Flannery, is being investigated by the Vatican because of his liberal views.

Pope Benedict XVI has issued a blistering denunciation of priests who have questioned church teaching on celibacy and ordaining women, saying they were being selfish in disobeying his authority.

There are pros and cons to granting full investigative powers to Oireachtas committees, writes Regina Hennelly

POPE BENEDICT lamented the widespread abandonment of religion in Western countries at a Holy Thursday ceremony, saying the heartlands of Christianity were turning away from their faith.

Pope Benedict XVI has spoken of his regret that Christians have largely become a population of non-believers.

KERRY’s footballers will be heading away on a training camp to Portugal if they don’t reach next month’s Allianz Division 1 final.

POPE BENEDICT XVI sees the priestly sex scandal as a “test for him and the Church,” his spokesman says, as the Pope and his bishops around Europe used Holy Week’s solemn call for penitence to pledge transparency in dealing with the abuse of children.

Pope Benedict XVI sees the clerical sex scandals as a "test for him and the church", his spokesman said today, as bishops around Europe used Holy Week's solemn call for penitence to pledge transparency in dealing with the abuse of children.

THE family of murdered Limerick man Roy Collins were surprised by the release of notorious gang member Wayne Dundon from prison yesterday and fear for their safety.

YOU walk into a room and search for somewhere to sit. It’s crowded but luckily a single chair is still free, next to what appears to be a respectable grandmother.

MISSIONARY zeal has arrived on the streets of Dublin with the appointment of an evangelical priest to bring Catholics back to the church.

Pope Benedict XVI humbly washed the feet of 12 men today, re-enacting Jesus’ washing of his apostles’ feet during the last supper and saying the act cleansed the “filth” of mankind.

Pope John Paul II’s own suffering kept him away from his flock on Good Friday, but he appeared via video at the Way of the Cross commemoration of Christ’s suffering at Rome’s torchlit Colosseum.

Pope John Paul II’s absence was felt by worried followers as poor health forced him to miss major Holy Week events, and the pontiff’s suffering gave special significance to Good Friday’s ceremonies.

The Pope may not be able to celebrate the Stations of the Cross ceremony in Rome today, because of health worries.

The Vatican has modified the traditional Good Friday procession at the Colosseum because of Pope John Paul II's frail condition.

Aer Lingus flights have returned to normal this morning after a strike by 3,000 clerical and operative staff grounded the entire fleet yesterday.