Return of the big beast

In an economic downturn, who will people trust as their politicians – those with experience, or those with intuition, self-confidence and sheer luck? History suggests that leadership in such a crisis requires more than an ability with figures...

Gaza crisis

Peace offering - Tie that binds...

Pioneering educator who challenged Rome

Four hundred years ago an order of nuns was founded by Mary Ward, who defied the pope with her belief that women had it in them to ‘do great matters’. A commemorative Mass this week at York Minster highlights reconciliation in a city associated with the persecutions of the Reformation...

Defining moments

A Church is emerging that may yet answer the post-Vatican II hopes of spirituality, repentance, humanity and ecumenism. But the Holy Spirit will not be controlled, and blows where it wills...

Could the shutters yet come down?

Fifty years ago this week, Pope John XXIII announced the Second Vatican Council. Today, some suggest that the council was a break with the past rather than a movement of reform. What has been lost, says a leading theologian, is confidence about the council and its changes...

New life, freely given

By the grace of God, the faithful are able to give life in the way God gave life in the Creation and in the gift and Resurrection of his Son. In this prayer, Daniel McCarthy tells us, we ask that we as the redeemed might be nourished by the Holy Spirit so that we can partake of divine glory...

Everything changes, in time

The Feast of the Conversion of St Paul is celebrated tomorrow. While coming to serve Christ is the starting point of conversion, people are like Paul in that they do not instantly become models of excellent thought and practice. It is in the parish they can learn to imitate Jesus more closely...

Travelling light

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