The ‘empire of misogyny’ referred to by Mary McAleese will not be reformed by the Pope, who thinks the genders have different, divinely ordained roles, says TP O’Mahony

Robert Harris never meant to write novels. A political journalist, who, at 30, moved from the BBC to become political editor of the Observer, he enjoyed writing longer pieces; and between 1982 and 1990, he penned five works of non-fiction.

THE Vatican is preparing a document about condom use by those with AIDS at Pope Benedict XVI’s request.

CONSERVATIVE Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has gained strong support among Catholic cardinals seeking a successor to Pope John Paul II but many of them are still undecided, a Church official said yesterday.