Children's Potential

Tony Flannery calls on the five religious congregations who have members under censure from Rome to follow the lead of Pope Francis, and to act in the prophetic manner expected of religious by removing all sanctions on these men.

Today’s readings, from the prophet Amos and St Luke, remind Christians that God is on the side of the poor, defending their rights. Those who assemble for Eucharist pray to be on God's side.

Eddie Molloy reacts to Pope Francis' interviews and calls for action in the  Irish Church in response. (Article was previously published in a slightly abridged form in the Sunday Independent).

Unpacking the Lazarus Riddle

Jo O'Sullivan shares her struggles with the Catholic Church. She dreams that, in the papacy of Francis, ex-Catholics might see that change is possible within this institution

Life's Eternal Possibilities

Brendan Hoban shows that within 20 years a tiny cadre of aged priests
will be struggling to say Masses in a tiny complement of churches. He believes a fundamental re-think on priesthood is required (first published in the Western People)

Thomas Baker reviews 'The Good Funeral', a critique of the American approach to death and dying (first published in Commonweal on 26 September 2013: read original article here.)

The Editors of Commonweal welcome Pope Francis welcome what they see as the pope's clear-eyed evaluation of how the Gospel should be preached in the modern world. (Commonweal is an independent journal of religion, politics and culture edited in New York by lay Catholics: read the original editorial of 23 September 2013 and comments here.)