In this book, Maurice Reidy meets with four people: two are believers and two are not and explores their experiences of religious belief and unbelief. He shows that to believe in God is a reasonable decision and one that can be sustained. He concludes with a personal account of his [...]

Kathleen Coyle SSC, who lectures in theology in Manila, considers the full cosmic significance of the incarnation and the sacramental character of creation.

Seán O’Conaill looks back at a personal crisis of faith and how it led him to perceive that the Church only makes sense when understood as an extension of Christ’s self-effacing and self-giving.

Question: Nowadays there is quite a lot of emphasis placed on praying to the Holy Spirit. I don’t know much about him. What is his role in the world today, and is it different from that of Jesus? Paul.

Clive Marsh considers how Christ is present today, and invites us to reflect on how communal human interaction can be informed and transformed through attempting to understand this question. He considers how Christ and the Church relate today, highlighting the decisive role to be played by the Church in society, [...]

Hell, for many people, is a fiery place full of horned creatures wielding pitchforks. Theologian Lawrence Cunningham explains what the church really teaches.

Sean O’Conaill draws attention to Christ’s stress on the importance of the individual, but he warns that this is radically different from present-day individualism. Instead, it is an invitation to join Christ on his “downward journey”.

Amanda writes: How sure can we be that there will be second coming of Jesus Christ and a bodily resurrection of all the dead at his coming? I find that I cannot believe this at all because a return of Jesus with a Universal Resurrection gives rise to many questions. [...]

Below is a list and introductory note on the nine main “movements” or dynamic Catholic organisations that have emerged since Vatican II and are active in Ireland today. Patrick Duffy then provides a short profile of each.

Gesa E. Theissen & Declan Marmion have compiled biographical accounts from more than a dozen international theologians who have worked in Ireland in order to remind us that theology does matter. They discuss such issues as their call to study theology, the figures that have influenced them in their studies, [...]

Many academics and media people in Ireland have little time for a Catholic literary tradition. In fact, they don’t take the very idea of Catholic intellectual activity seriously. Eamon Maher, whose translation of Jean Sulivan’s memoir of the death of his mother, Anticipate Every Goodbye, was published recently by Veritas, [...]

Thomas Heath OP suggests that we try to recognise the Holy Spirit, who is gift itself, in the many gifts which we have received and which show themselves in our lives of seeking God.

John-Paul Sheridan gives an excellent summary of what the Scriptures and Church teaching tell us about the Holy Spirit, especially as a guide to parents whose children are following the programme in preparation for confirmation. It is the second chapter of his helpful Veritas publication Promises to keep: parents and [...]

The “movements” are organisations which have emerged since Vatican II, mainly of lay people, inspired by a founder and with a method to lead people to a dynamic Christian life. Patrick Duffy explains.

An original and stimulating examination by Hugh Rayment-Pickard of the theology of time and history drawing from art, literature, philosophy, theology and everyday life.

The Irish in the Middle Ages had an intriguing way of expressing devotion to the Child Jesus. And it was more than mere fancy, writes Gilbert Márkus.

Paul Andrews SJ reflects on the risk Jesus took in presenting God to us as a father-figure, especially as not all of us have had exemplary fathers.

Jesus wasn’t an instant success. He had to endure the triumph of failure. Paul Andrews SJ shows haw we can do the same.

Sean O’Conaill sees the need for lay people to abandon the notion of the priest as ‘grandee’ so that they can embrace fully their own vocation to a life of faith and of collaboration in a wide variety of ministries.

Declan Marmion has gathered a host of international specialists to explore their respective legacies by examining not only Karl Rahner, and Bernard Lonergan’s contribution to anthropology, systematic, historical, moral and practical theology and spirituality, and thus bringing their insights into dialogue with many of the issues facing Christians today.

How do we know about Jesus of Nazareth? What can we say for sure about him?

Dear Father, many highly educated men and women claim to be atheists. Yet anyone with even a minimum of intelligence must realise that the world just could not have started by itself. Scriptures say that ‘the fool has said in his heart, “there is no God”‘. Must we conclude that [...]

Why is June known as the Month of the Sacred Heart? – Róisin.

Michael Brundell O.Carm. takes note of Karl Rahner’s vision of the Church of tomorrow, a Church of sinners, shaken perhaps by the storms of history and of internal conflict, but still united in love of each other and love of the Church itself.

This book represents the work of fifteen scholars in four disciplines: philosophy, theology, sociology and cultural studies. It offers an interdisciplinary reflection on the role and impact of technology in society. It is edited by edited by Michael Breen, Eamonn Conway and Barry McMillan.

This is a collection of recent essays by Enda McDonagh – many in honour of friends – on a variety of topics such as theology in the university, education, globalisation, grief, suicide, politics, risk, transformative justice, poetry, art, theatre and tragedy.

Can a scientist believe in God? Chris Moss, Jesuit priest and astronomer, says yes. From the very beginning, some might say, Chris Moss’ future was ‘in the stars’. Growing up in Preston, the only town in England with its own research observatory, he rubbed shoulders with astronomers before he even [...]

What were the formative years of Jesus like? Is there anything we can really know about what they call “the hidden years”? Could he read and write? What level of education did he have? What languages did he speak? Jim McPolin SJ looks at these questions.

Here Paul Andrews SJ talks about making contact – with people and with God.