Is the papacy of Pope Francis in danger of being undermined by controversies over his handling of clerical abuse cases? That question has become a central issue in his papacy, writes TP O’Mahony.

The public’s faith in the management of An Garda Síochána has taken a battering, with the succession of controversies since the start of the year.

Archbishop Eamon Martin delivered a lecture at the University of East Anglia in Norwich yesterday evening on the theme ‘The Church in the Public Sphere – a perspective from Ireland’. Here is an extended extract from his speech.

Pope Francis wrapped up his Polish visit yesterday with a huge outdoor Mass where he told young people to look beyond the instant gratification afforded by technology, and instead to try to change the world.