Full-bodied row in Bordeaux

The Vatican's establishment of an institute for ex-Lefebvrists in Bordeaux, to operate in parallel with the existing Church, has caused deep anger in France. It is a major challenge to the authority of Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard - and to the Church, shaped by the Second Vatican Council'...

A crucial moment for Catholics

Proposals for imposing on religious schools quotas of pupils of other faiths or none seems motivated by a political desire to find a solution to divisions in multifaith, multiracial Britain. But the impact on the Catholic community, says the chairman of its education service, would be to put at risk a system of schooling that is successful and more integrated than ministers understand...

From Budapest to Berlin

Hungary?s uprising 50 years ago was crushed by the Soviets. But its heroes, including Cardinal J?zsef Mindszenty, sowed the seeds of a rebellion across Eastern Europe...

What reason to believe?

John Humphrys, scourge of politicians on the BBC?s Today show, is looking for God. He talks to Catherine Pepinster about his lifelong quest, the impact of tragedy on his beliefs and his new Radio 4 series...

Sermon on the mount

Dominic Prince meets Ireland?s unofficial chaplain to the turf, who is minister to what is possibly the country?s most horse-mad congregation...

Rising tide of refugees

While climate change demands merely a lifestyle change on the part of those living in developed countries, for the millions of impoverished in Bangladesh, the impact of flooding is threatening lives and livelihoods...

Once a priest, always a priest

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O?Connor has reached high office in the Church. But the most important moment of his life was his ordination. As he celebrates the golden jubilee of his priesthood, he reflects on a life rooted in faith and the changes he has witnessed...

A not-so-auld alliance

Overwhelming Catholic support for the Labour Party has been one of the great constants of politics in Scotland throughout the twentieth century. But as Scots prepare to go to the polls in elections for the Scottish Parliament next year, Labour?s grip on that hitherto loyal constituency has never been weaker...

Constant promise

Loving actions make us worthy of what God has undertaken for us. But, as this week?s opening prayer reveals, we cannot perform these actions without God. Daniel McCarthy explains how our future fulfilment breaks into the present, in a single moment and over the course of our lives...

No time like the present

The RCIA is robbed of its effectiveness when it is forced to take place within predetermined dates Alan Morris ...

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