Fr Paddy
Fr Paddy is the parish priest of Abbeyleix. From Carlow town, he was educated in Carlow CBS and studied Business and Politics in Trinity College Dublin before training to be a priest in Carlow College.
He writes for a number of media outlets. He has almost 31,000 followers on Twitter.
Fr Paddy: Our church has a future but we need bold and creative leadership
The Catholic Church in Ireland seems to be in a constant state of crisis.
A crisis that often by its own actions has caused great...
Fr Paddy: Catholicism and the census
So now we know. While commentators were avidly awaiting the results of the 2016 Census to see how Irish society had (or hadn’t) changed...
Fr Paddy: The beatification of Fr John Sullivan SJ
The date for the beatification ceremony of Blessed John Sullivan elect has been confirmed for Saturday May 13 in Gardiner Street Church at 11am.
This...
Fr Paddy: Butterflies and resurrection
As a butterfly soared overhead, one caterpillar said to the other, "You'll never get me up in one of those things."
Yet for every caterpillar...
Fr Paddy: Why Easter 2017 Matters
Will the sun dance this Easter morning 2017? The joy of Easter morning brings much needed hope to a world beset by many challenges:...
Fr Paddy: A Holy Week Monologue
I don't belong here. I really don't. Paradise is the last place I expected to end up after all I've done. Let me tell...
Fr Paddy: And they crucified him…
Our columnist Fr Paddy Byrne writes this week how Jesus being crucified is an invitation to new life.
A medical doctor provides a physical description:
The...
Fr Paddy: Martin McGuinness – an IRA leader turned peacemaker
Tributes have been pouring in from across the political divide since Martin McGuinness’ death was announced on March 21st. Indeed a significant date...The spring...
Fr Paddy: The Tuam babies scandal – anger, pain and disgust
The finding of babies mortal remains in a former mother and baby residential home in Tuam, has awakened much anger, pain and disgust.
The plight...
Fr Paddy: What we can learn from Pope Francis’s simple lessons
Pope Francis continues to inspire so many by his simple and yet profound catechetical teaching.
He speaks with authority by virtue to his radical witness...
Fr Paddy: Lent – a time to be uplifted by brighter mornings and longer...
Ash Wednesday - which is this Wednesday, March 1, marks the beginning of Lent. Traditionally, Lent brings with it a time of cutting back,...
Fr Paddy: It’s so important to welcome refugees
President Trump’s first few weeks in office are proving to be very worrying especially his response a most hard line one. Responding to the...
Fr Paddy: Standing up for our catholic schools
On this Sunday, January 29, at 11am, in St Peter and Paul's, Parish Church, Portlaoise, RTE, will televise a live celebration of the Eucharist,...