Catholic Church

‘Beauty can lead to faith’ – an interview with the director of the Vatican Museums

barbara jatta, the first woman to direct the vatican museums in their 512-year history, says that she grew up amid the smells of solvent. he...
Desmond O'Grady

My marathon church tour

on a recent sunday, i went to three church services and a synagogue – all in one morning. well, to be honest, i went to little bits of three...
Harry Mount

It’s been a bad year for human rights. But there are still reasons to hope

"the people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” with those words ...
Benedict Rogers

The plot to depose Henry VIII

if a zealous priest called gregory botolph had guarded his tongue more carefully in holy week of 1540, england might well be a catholic coun...
Jack Scarisbrick

Where next for Ukraine's new Orthodox Church?

urgent restoration work is under way at st sophia cathedral in kiev. with its stunning 11th-century frescoes and mosaics, it is here that th...
Konstantin von Eggert

Northern Ireland's lesson for Brexit Britain

a depressing phenomenon has occurred in the years since britain voted to leave the european union back in june 2016. the national argument h...
Jenny McCartney

Our society needs a Scrooge-like conversion

forget the panto; the classy destination in the run-up to christmas in london is simon callow’s terrific one-man rendition of a christmas ca...
Melanie McDonagh

What is the perfect Catholic cocktail?

when i approached our friends and colleagues about this little symposium, each one responded immediately with a moving appeal for their cand...
Michael Warren Davis

The staggering artistic legacy of Pope Julius II

pope julius ii, born giuliano della rovere, has come down to us as “the warrior pope”. this is with good reason: his pontificate, which last...
Stephen Withnell

Letters & emails

the true significance of altar rails sir – mr b robinson (letter, december 7) asks whether we can have our altar rails back. the answer is i...
The Catholic Herald