# Catholicism

This year

2023

Voices

Peter Flanagan: 'Confession was for sinners - why should I admit to something I didn't do?'

Writing from London, Peter Flanagan says that in England, religion is a lifestyle choice.

20.5k

May 28th 2023, 7:30 AM

All time

# Catholicism

Video showing Pope Francis trying to avoid having his ring kissed goes viral

Francis’ apparent reluctance to have his ring kissed has sparked a debate online, where the video has gone viral.

58.8k

Mar 26th 2019, 10:56 PM

Voices

Opinion: 'Religion is facing a crisis in the West - but here's why it's thriving in Asia'

Barry Dunning lives in Indonesia and has seen how much of a role religion plays in people’s lives in Asia.

16.3k

Oct 19th 2018, 7:00 AM

# deliver us from evil

'Lead us not into temptation': Pope Francis wants the words to the Our Father changed

Pope Francis says the wording should be alerted to better reflect it wasn’t God who led humans into sin.

31.3k

104

Dec 8th 2017, 2:33 PM

# Knock

'Grandparents are the anchor of many families - but we don't always recognise that'

The Catholic Grandparents Association is holding its annual pilgrimage to Knock next month (and will feature a performance from Dana).

14.3k

Aug 13th 2017, 3:30 PM

# RIP

Orange Order asks Protestants not to use the term 'RIP'

The Orange Standard published an article calling the term “unbiblical” and “un-Protestant”.

37.7k

Jul 24th 2017, 10:59 PM

# Pilgrimage

Can't make it to Fatima? Why not 'rent-a-pilgrim' for €2,500

Portuguese native Carlos Gil is paid to take pilgrimages for people.

10.9k

May 14th 2017, 8:30 AM

# en mass

After threats it would be taken off air, millions of Spaniards tune in to Sunday Mass

A far-left party had tried to end the weekly broadcast.

13.9k

Mar 19th 2017, 8:00 AM

# ashes to ashes

Why do people get ashes on their head today?

And why don’t some eat meat?

37.9k

163

Feb 10th 2016, 12:39 PM

# Clerical Child Abuse

Bishop apologises for alleged child abuse by former parish priest

Bishop Francis Duffy said the alleged crimes of Fr Brendan Hynds were “appalling.”

16.8k

Dec 9th 2015, 11:58 PM

# Religion Lessons

The Archbishop of Dublin says parents who don't want their kids to do religion have a point

But he says Catholic education is “not poison”.

16.9k

Dec 7th 2015, 6:09 PM

# rigid priests

Pope Francis: 'If you're unstable, see a doctor - don't become a priest'

“I’m scared of rigid priests. I keep away from them. They bite!”

24.9k

Nov 20th 2015, 9:01 PM

# perpetual adoration

Meet the order of nuns who have been praying non-stop for 137 years

At 11 am on 1 August 1878, a group of Franciscan sisters began praying at a convent in Wisconsin. They’re still going.

25.5k

Nov 7th 2015, 3:00 PM

# baby pope

Pope Francis roared laughing at a tiny baby pope and it was simply adorable

BABY POPE IS EVERYTHING.

7.3k

Sep 28th 2015, 8:10 PM

# ya wha' gay?

Hozier has been explaining to Gay Byrne why he thinks baptism is ridiculous

The veteran presenter also asked the singer if his generation was ‘cross and resentful’ about the Catholic church.

36.7k

Sep 23rd 2015, 7:40 PM

# chastity

'It's not about the absence of something... but I look forward to sex eventually, I guess'

Two young people talk to TheJournal.ie about how they came to lead lives of chastity.

35.9k

Jul 31st 2015, 10:44 PM

# mass effect

#GrowingUpCatholic hilariously summed up everything about having to go to mass

WHAT were you going to say in confession?

28.1k

Jul 27th 2015, 10:17 PM

# canonised

Mother Teresa is being made a saint next year

A date has reportedly been set for September 2016.

16.2k

104

May 19th 2015, 9:39 PM

Voices

If the Catholic church doesn't urgently signal a change in attitude, I fear for its future

Representative of the church must meaningfully alter responses toward women, LGBT people, and those in second relationships, writes Fr Tony Flannery.

880

134

Apr 23rd 2015, 8:00 AM

# let us pray

8 awkward moments you'll always have at mass

So much potential.

12.8k

Apr 5th 2015, 1:00 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Do you agree with the Good Friday alcohol ban?

Or will you be having a tipple today?

34.5k

201

Apr 3rd 2015, 9:01 AM

# the battle of fifth avenue

Inside the 25-year fight to let Irish LGBT people march in New York on Paddy's Day

“In their eyes, we can’t be Irish and queer. We can only be one or the other.”

13.7k

133

Mar 8th 2015, 10:00 AM

# a dog's life

Pope Francis: All dogs do go to heaven

The Pope has said that heaven is “open to all of God’s creatures”.

15.0k

Dec 12th 2014, 6:00 PM

# Section 37

"Schools are not data-processing centres": Irish bishops want 'balance' in discrimination debate

Aodhán Ó’Ríordáin has promised to amend Section 37.

9.9k

Oct 30th 2014, 6:47 PM

# big bang theory

Pope backs evolution theory, says 'God doesn't have a magic wand'

The pontiff said that the Big Bang theory is not inconsistent with Catholic teachings.

26.6k

165

Oct 28th 2014, 8:11 PM

# Catholicism

Vatican looks to reform church's stance on 'living in sin', marriage, and divorce

Pope Francis suggested the Catholic Church must address the present gulf between what it currently says on these issues and what tens of millions of believers actually do.

15.1k

153

Oct 5th 2014, 2:21 PM

# Horrific

Three Italian nuns found brutally murdered at Burundi convent

Pope Francis has offered his condolences after the horrific murders.

23.8k

Sep 8th 2014, 7:04 PM

# in their own words

Here's what appeared to witnesses in Knock, 135 years ago today

“I threw myself to my knees…a hundred thousands thanks to God”

89.7k

201

Aug 21st 2014, 7:30 AM

# hey pilgrim

Thousands arriving in Knock today for annual Catholic pilgrimage

Knock Knock, who’s there? 150,000 people…

9.6k

Aug 14th 2014, 7:30 AM

Voices

Column: 10 guiding principles for being a 'good Christian' online

Archbishop Eamon Martin has shared his thoughts on how to have a sense of humour and “be missionary” online.

909

May 25th 2014, 5:58 PM

# Catholicism

Taoiseach in the Vatican for Canonisation of two popes

Enda Kenny is Ireland’s official representative at the Mass.

10.5k

Apr 27th 2014, 7:45 AM

# Unholy Thursday

The whole of Ireland is preparing for a trip to the off-licence this evening

Or as we like to call it, THE HUNGER GAMES.

4.4k

Apr 17th 2014, 3:41 PM

Voices

Column: Some etiquette for the modern-day First Holy Communion

Invited to a First Communion? Are you in a state of dread? Don’t worry. Let me guide you through the etiquette of the modern Big Day, writes Avril O’Reilly.

63.1k

Mar 19th 2014, 8:00 AM

# chastity

Students taped together by wrists in sex education talk by Catholic group

“We were told how ‘god loves sex’,” one student said. “However it was implied that is only after marriage.”

122k

449

Feb 18th 2014, 6:00 PM

# born to be wild

Pope Francis is auctioning off his Harley-Davidson

Yes, you read that right.

2.5k

Jan 15th 2014, 4:33 PM

# Apathy

Eamon Dunphy: When I reported sexual deviancy to gardai, they did nothing

The veteran journalist has painted a bleak picture of life growing up in Drumcondra.

25.1k

Oct 12th 2013, 8:35 AM

# Lesus Walks

Lesus Christ? Vatican withdraws medals over misspelling

They probably should have let Lesus take the wheel on this one.

10.0k

Oct 11th 2013, 3:01 PM

# Catholic Church

Polish Catholic Church vows "zero tolerance" to paedophiles

The Church says that it will not make any compensation offer to those who were abused.

5.6k

Oct 9th 2013, 8:32 PM

Voices

Column: A lot of people miss the point of Lourdes – it's about faith but also about fun

Long-time Lourdes helper Lloyd Murphy writes about what the pilgrimage means to him – and to the pilgrims who visit the little French town each year in search of peace, companionship, and time to forget about illness.

7.6k

Sep 20th 2013, 1:00 PM

# Catholic Church

Pope's deputy says celibacy is 'not a dogma of the Church'

The recently appointed Vatican Secretary of State said that the issue is a great challenge for the Pope.

8.2k

Sep 12th 2013, 9:00 AM