#Religion

Sign in

Depressed man in silhouette on green

#Religion

A collection of articles relating to religion.

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>From the moment Pope John XXIII announced the Second Vatican Council on January 25, 1959, speculation about its aims, objectives and outcome intensified.</p>

comment-analysis

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

<p>The three nuns and former teachers — Sisters Regina, 86, Bernadette, 88, and Rita, 81 — have broke back into their old home of Goldenstein Castle in Elsbethen, Austria, in September in defiance of their spiritual superiors. Picture: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty</p>

world

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

<p>Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris TD launching the 'Accelerating Infrastructure – Report and Action Plan' at Government Buildings. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos </p>

ourview

Irish Examiner view: Will the Government's infrastructure plan cut through red tape for the better?

Primary school girls are taught during a lesson by a male teacher

comment-analysis

Who decides who belongs in our schools?

Sarah Harte Writer head shot.png

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

A person writing in a blackboard during Religion class in a school. Next, some books.

comment-analysis

Another survey — but still no change for children who opt out of religious instruction

Muslims in Ireland 'living in fear of far-right extremists'

Muslims in Ireland 'living in fear of far-right extremists'

Government 'must act on hatred' as gardaí increase focus on extremism amid alleged intention by a violent right-wing group to bomb a mosque

Mon, 10 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

A crucifix on a book against the background of a chalkboard

S Mick Clifford: Survey on school patronage should be conducted beyond the current crop of parents

Parents of all children up to the age of 12 are being asked to take part in an online survey to determine what kind of patronage they want for their local school. Don’t hold your breath in anticipation of change, writes Mick Clifford

Sun, 09 Nov, 2025

Election 2025 NYC Mayor

Marion McKeone: Zohran Mamdani win rings starting bell for Donald Trump vs New York fight

Billionaire-backed Andrew Cuomo was swept away by ordinary New Yorkers galvanised by a cheery 34-year-old who kept his campaign focused on the cost of living

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Tributes pour in for Mary 'May' McGee whose Supreme Court case helped end contraception ban

Tributes pour in for Mary 'May' McGee whose Supreme Court case helped end contraception ban

Tributes have been paid to Mary ‘May’ McGee, whose 1973 Supreme Court victory transformed Ireland’s laws on contraception and women’s rights

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

A crucifix on a book against the background of a chalkboard

School religious discrimination may still be happening despite law

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance found that religious discrimination in school admissions might still be happening in practice

Tue, 28 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

Bras, prayers and pilgrimages: Devotion to Derry nun tipped for sainthood grows

Bras, prayers and pilgrimages: Devotion to Derry nun tipped for sainthood grows

Hundreds visit Sr Clare Crockett’s grave daily in Derry as claims of miracles fuel her path towards possible sainthood

Sat, 20 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

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

OPW bans tour guides from wearing green or orange at site of the Battle of the Boyne

OPW bans tour guides from wearing green or orange at site of the Battle of the Boyne

The directive is being communicated directly to new guides by a supervisor at the visitor centre after they have been hired

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

British Irish Council summit

Tánaiste: Religious orders cannot 'plead the poor mouth' and must contribute to school abuse redress

The potential size of any redress scheme has caused some unease in Government

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

Bishop of Limerick Diocese

Pope Leo appoints Bishop of Limerick to key Vatican department

Bishop Brendan Leahy has been selected by the pontiff into the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

Tue, 08 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

First Day Of Pope Leo XIV

RTÉ coverage of Pope Francis's funeral and election of Pope Leo cost €150k

Staff airfares and hotels for one Prime Time broadcast cost around €3,600 but some of the airfares cost as little as €13

Sun, 22 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

IRISH US

Just over €65m paid out in mother and baby home redress scheme

Only two of eight religious bodies linked to mother and baby homes have offered to contribute to a survivor redress scheme despite lengthy negotiations

Sun, 18 May, 2025

Gareth O'Callaghan: Is Pope Leo XIV the spiritual leader America needs with Trump in power?

Gareth O'Callaghan: Is Pope Leo XIV the spiritual leader America needs with Trump in power?

As America reels from Trump’s return and global tensions rise, Pope Leo XIV could offer more than spiritual guidance — he may be the world’s needed moral compass

Sat, 17 May, 2025

78th Cannes Film Festival

Colin Sheridan: Tom Cruise’s insane journey from Oprah’s couch to cult worship at Cannes

His posture is designed to portray a certain humility, like he is not worthy of the praise given to him. He also wants you to know that he absolutely is

Sat, 17 May, 2025

Rising numbers prompts benediction at Cork’s historic Eucharistic Procession to move outdoors

Rising numbers prompts benediction at Cork’s historic Eucharistic Procession to move outdoors

Final prayer and benediction will take place at specially constructed platform at the National Monument on Grand Parade

Wed, 14 May, 2025

Wooden models believed to have secured win to build Cork's St Fin Barre’s Cathedral go on display

Wooden models believed to have secured win to build Cork's St Fin Barre’s Cathedral go on display

The design models were brought to Cork by renowned English architect William Burges

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Pope Leo XIV: Irish priests recall 'the quiet guy' who went on to inherit the chair of St Peter

Pope Leo XIV: Irish priests recall 'the quiet guy' who went on to inherit the chair of St Peter

'He always struck me as being a very disciplined, abstemious, quiet guy, and I would say we Irish would have been a bit more, shall I say, celebratory'

Fri, 09 May, 2025

VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-CONCLAVE

Robert Francis Prevost: the moderate, good-humoured first US pope

Colleagues recall a calm and grounded leader capable of moderating between factions, with a strong connection to his predecessor

Fri, 09 May, 2025

Communion and clergyman. First Holy Communion

The State is completely failing non-Catholic families

Falling outside the norm means children who do not participate in religious instruction are excluded and alienated, writes David Graham

Fri, 09 May, 2025

'He will return to Ireland' says Irish priest who is a friend of Pope Leo XIV

'He will return to Ireland' says Irish priest who is a friend of Pope Leo XIV

Fr Tony Finn says Pope Leo XIV, who visited Ireland during his time as Augustinian leader, is likely to return soon

Thu, 08 May, 2025

VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-CONCLAVE

American cardinal Robert Prevost announced as Pope Leo XIV

His election means he will become the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church

Thu, 08 May, 2025

Vatican Conclave

Watch: Cardinals to begin choosing new pope in largest ever conclave

Election could be most unpredictable in church’s history with 133 diverse and divided participants in Sistine Chapel

Wed, 07 May, 2025

What's in a papal name? An agenda for the Catholic Church

What's in a papal name? An agenda for the Catholic Church

First look at new pope will include announcement of papal name

Tue, 06 May, 2025

Vatican Pope

S Scaled-down papacy with women given greater influence in Catholic Church's future

Pope Francis’s work on synodality could pave the way for a very different style of Church, with self-governing regional branches and the ability to make local changes over time, writes TP O’Mahony

Mon, 05 May, 2025

'I thank God every day it was me', says army priest who was stabbed in Galway

'I thank God every day it was me', says army priest who was stabbed in Galway

Fr Paul Murphy's attacker, a now 17-year-old, has been sentenced to ten years detention with the final two years suspended

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Vatican Pope

Rumours, rock-star cardinals and street cleaning: Rome gets ready for conclave

Papal electors gossip in bars and restaurants and try to avoid journalists seeking clues to Pope Francis’s successor

Sat, 03 May, 2025

Vatican Pope

Conclave to elect new pope will start on May 7

It comes as the 16th-century Sistine Chapel, where conclaves are held, was closed to tourists on Monday to allow for preparations for the vote

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

There were only 33 more Catholic marriages than civil ceremonies in Ireland in 2024

There were only 33 more Catholic marriages than civil ceremonies in Ireland in 2024

Last year, 20,348 couples tied the knot here, and that included 668 same-sex marriages

Fri, 25 Apr, 2025

Irish nun in South Sudan says meeting Pope Francis was ‘joyful’ and ‘hope-filled’

Irish nun in South Sudan says meeting Pope Francis was ‘joyful’ and ‘hope-filled’

Irish nun Sr Orla Treacy led 100 youth on a 400km peace walk in South Sudan to meet Pope Francis

Fri, 25 Apr, 2025

‘I told him those women were in hiding, carrying a secret’: Clodagh Malone on meeting Pope Francis

‘I told him those women were in hiding, carrying a secret’: Clodagh Malone on meeting Pope Francis

Mother and baby home survivor tells how Pope Francis answered her plea to tell mothers searching for their adopted children they were not committing a mortal sin

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

Colm O'Gorman: I admired Pope Francis — but we must be honest about his failings

S Colm O'Gorman: I admired Pope Francis — but we must be honest about his failings

The Church has covered up abuses for centuries. Our failure to acknowledge that popes colluded in it is part of the problem

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

Communion and clergyman. First Holy Communion

Most teachers think schools should not prepare pupils for church sacraments, survey finds

Just 4% of the teachers surveyed thought preparing children for the sacraments should be a school’s responsibility, compared to 47% who believe the family should be responsible

Wed, 23 Apr, 2025

Abuse survivor and former mayor of Clonmel Michael O'Brien dies

Abuse survivor and former mayor of Clonmel Michael O'Brien dies

Mr O'Brien became known nationally following an appearance on RTÉ's 'Question and Answers' in the wake of the publication of the Ryan report into clerical abuse

Tue, 22 Apr, 2025

Vatican power struggle: will an ‘anti-Francis’ pope emerge from conclave?

Vatican power struggle: will an ‘anti-Francis’ pope emerge from conclave?

Of 135 cardinals eligible to take part in choosing successor, late pontiff appointed about 110 including conservatives

Tue, 22 Apr, 2025

Vatican Pope Francis Obit Camerlengo

Irish-born cardinal entrusted as ‘camerlengo’ running Holy See between popes

The Vatican official who runs the Holy See after the death of one pope and before the election of another is no-nonsense Irish-born American Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Tue, 22 Apr, 2025

Francis

An Irishwoman in Rome: Italy mourns a man who spent his papacy consorting with the poor, prisoners, and sinners

As new of Pope Francis' death broke, Italians came out to their doors, onto their balconies, terraces. It seemed we all wanted company, solidarity

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

Pope Francis visit to Ireland - Day 2

S Fergus Finlay: Pope Francis — A good man but a failed papacy

Poor and marginalised people mattered to the late pope, but not so much to the Catholic Church — just look at its response to Sheila Nunan's mother and baby homes redress report

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

'The wrong people are dying. Look at Trump and Putin': Kerry parishioners react to death of Pope Francis

'The wrong people are dying. Look at Trump and Putin': Kerry parishioners react to death of Pope Francis

Mass-goers at the Holy Cross Priory in Tralee expressed their shock and sadness at the death of the beloved Pontiff

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

Pope Francis Address The Festival Of Families

Pope Francis: 1936 — 2025

Pope Francis’ papacy was marked by reform, resistance, and contradictions. Will his legacy endure?

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025