Soul

'I'm a cultural Christian', declares Richard Dawkins, the world's most famous atheist

richard dawkins – one of the world’s most famous atheists – has declared himself to be a “cultural christian”. the author of the god delusio...

Children at Mass: Why are some people so intolerant?

i have just stomped in from an otherwise lovely day celebrating our eldest child reaching double figures. children being rather more sophist...

Did we just see the budding shoots of a Christian revival this Easter?

the easter edition of the spectator took a refreshingly upbeat stance on the state of christendom, with justin brierley setting out his argu...

Philip Campbell

Pope Francis reveals he was used in ‘manoeuvre’ during 2005 conclave to prevent Benedict’s election

rome – pope francis has said that he was used in an “manoeuvre” to block the election of the future benedict xvi during the 2005 conclave, b...

The spiritual makings of a leader: 'masterful' new Ronald Reagan biography

the peacemaker: ronald reagan, the cold war, and the world on the brink william inboden dutton, £31.99, 622 pages on a visit years back to t...

Cardinal Timothy Dolan

How prayer helps us ‘gain a new horizon’ and better understanding of Easter mystery

as we see the lord jesus in prayer, there are certain practical pointers we can learn from him, even while there is a mystery at play. in hi...

Fr Jeffrey Kirby C

One fallen king, one risen king: Braving the weather to find Arthur and early Christianity along Hadrian’s Wall

it was january, and i needed to get out of the house; away from emails and the effects of a seemingly never-ending christmastide. the puniti...

Critics who paint the Pope as a 'meek' peacenik over Ukraine fail to see how victory can lie in unexpected places

if this easter we celebrate christ's victory over death through his resurrection, we must do so knowing our thanksgivings occur amid a world...

christopheryates

‘Come and have breakfast’: Unravelling the mystery of food in Jesus' life

i wrote in this column a couple of years ago that “there is something odd about christ’s risen body”, which i suppose is fairly obvious. but...

Fr Richard Ounsworth OP

Finding hope among the ruins: Rebuilding the Church in Ireland through sincerity

on a cold spring morning on the west coast of ireland, replete with intermittent showers of sleet, i travelled to the small town of claregal...