Latest News

Mostar bishop laments cardinal’s Medjugorje visit
Cardinal Schönborn is strongly criticised for visiting site where the Virgin Mary is alleged to appear

Cardinal Schönborn says he did not mean to pre-empt a Vatican ruling on the authenticity of the apparitions (CNS photo)

Vatican reviews security after Pope knocked down at Midnight Mass
The Vatican is reassessing its security arrangements after a woman dragged Pope Benedict XVI to the ground

Diocese reports top Catholic school for breaking admissions code
Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School criticised for having a 'discriminatory' code

John Paul II and Pius XII made Venerable
Benedict XVI's predecessors can now become Blessed once a miracle is attributed to their intercession

Get ready to be sued, minister tells Christians
Minister predicts a surge in legal actions against the churches under equality laws

Missionary murders double in a year
Murder rate reaches its highest level for a decade, according to Vatican agency

Three more Irish bishops resign in wake of Dublin abuse report
Auxiliary bishops Eamonn Walsh and Raymond Field offer their resignations to Pope Benedict

IN THE PAPER THIS WEEK
Pope Benedict cites another holy Briton, John of Salisbury, as a role model

Features

Benedict XVI and the Christ Child
Amy Welborn says the Pope's brilliantly perceptive reflections on the birth of Our Saviour can help deepen our appreciation of Christmas

'Dialogue with Islam is vital and possible'
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago tells Edward Pentin about evangelisation and his vision of harmony with Muslims

We remain the Church of Tradition
Following their exchange in October, author Moyra Doorly and
theologian Aidan Nichols discuss what comprises true fidelity to Tradition

'The Church is always one step ahead'
Gabriel Byrne talks to Gabrielle Donnelly about the Irish and Freud


IN THE PAPER THIS WEEK
Andrew M Brown on 12 films that can lift your Christmas

Letters to the Editor

Darwin should not be blamed for deep-rooted racism in America
Read this, plus all our other letters online


Catholic Life

Well-wishers flock to ninth archbishop's installation
Read this, plus all our other Catholic Life stories online

Archbishop Bernard Longley outside St Chad's with Bishop William Kenney, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, Bishop David McGough, Bishop Philip Pargeter, and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor

Blogs & Columnists

Anna Arco's Diary and Editor's Briefing are now in blog format. Click on their banners below

Reviews

A cheeky chap with a broken heart
Sam Taylor-Wood's biopic of the young John Lennon gives Andrew M Brown a lump in the throat

John Lennon, played by Aaron Johnson, with his wild redhead mother Julia (Anne-Marie Duff)

The New Testament as Dan Brown conspiracy theory
Fr Richard Ounsworth OP finds this new re-imagining of the gospels contrived and irritating

The rational case for the protection of animals
Deborah Jones applauds an authoritative new book on animal rights

IN THE PAPER THIS WEEK
Robert Tanitch is impressed by Keira Knightley's stage debut

Opinion

Forget the 'real absence', enjoy the Real Presence
Our disillusioned society can find peace kneeling before the Christ Child, says Aidan Bellenger

St Thérèse archive

Read about this year's St Thérèse visit