Irish Jesuits

Irish Jesuit theologian Gerry O'Hanlon SJ was one of the participants at the National Pre-Synodal meeting of the Catholic Church in Ireland on October 18, 2025, at the Kilkenny Convention Centre. Over two hundred lay people, priests and bishops from across Ireland attended. The meeting, it was hoped, would be a further step in the Irish synodal process and an important precursor to the full National Synodal Assembly in Ireland scheduled for autumn 2026. But Gerry O'Hanlon SJ, among others, felt a 'sense of deflation' at the end of the day, that was in marked contrast to the conclusion of a previous synodal meeting in Athlone last year. So what happened at the Kilkenny meeting, and what lessons can be learnt from it that might enhance the National Assembly next year, and ensure the ongoing the momentum for change that has been the hallmark of the synodal pathway? Gerry O'Hanlon shares his views on these questions in this podcast interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications.

Clongowes Wood College past pupil, Jack Kavanagh, who was paralysed after suffering an injury when he dived into shallow water, was the keynote speaker at a recent gathering of Jesuit school students. Jack spoke about the initial despair he felt after the accident. "For some time I asked ‘why me’ but then I asked ‘why not me’". He now has his own business, and gives talks all over the world on motivation, and mental well being and sports.

In part one of this three part series, American Jesuit Barton Geger SJ speaks with Pat Coyle about Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Bart discusses his work in helping people see how Saint Ignatius' writings and teaching have been interpreted differently throughout the centuries and how Saint Ignatius' book the Spiritual Exercises has been interpreted over time. Bart says that he believes certain values and priorities of Saint Ignatius have been overlooked throughout the years.

Directors, Jesuits, and lay collaborators in the Social Justice Apostolates of the Irish Province gathered in Manresa Jesuit Centre for Spirituality, on Friday 10 October 2025, to celebrate 50 Years of a ‘faith that does justice’. They listened to talks on the subject before reflecting in smaller groups on what a ‘faith that does justice’ means for the Order and its colleagues today, and what it should mean into the future. Keynote speakers Katerine Camilleri from JRS Malta and Cesare Sposetti SJ of the Italian Jesuit magazine Aggiornamenti Sociali» shared their personal perspectives on what a ‘faith that does justice’ meant for them in their varying works.

Austen Ivereigh, journalist, commentator and biographer of Pope Francis talks to Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications. He shares his insights about the recent election of Pope Leo XIV and his memories of the late Pope Francis, including his last meeting with him.

ERIC C STARWARS by Irish Jesuits

Dr. Janet Soskice is Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology Emerita at the University of Cambridge and William K. Warren Distinguished Research Professor of Catholic Theology in Duke Divinity School North Carolina. Her most recent book is ‘Naming God: addressing the Divine in theology, philosophy and Scripture’ (Cambridge University Press, 2024). Dr. Soskice was guest and keynote speaker at the Loyola Institute, Trinity College, Dublin biennial congress of the European Society for Catholic Theology. The event was entitled ‘Ad Theologiam Promovendam: The tasks of theology in Europe today’. It took place from 20 – 23 August 2025. In this podcast Pat Coyle Director of Communications speaks with Dr. Soskice on some of the themes and questions raised during the event, such as “Have we forgotten God the creator?”, The theological doctrine creation ex nihilo and the big bang, God the creator as redeemer and finally creation and suffering.

Bishop Tesfaselassie Medhin from Adigrat diocese in Tigray Ethiopia tells Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communiciations about the two-year invasion of his diocese by Ethiopian government forces assisted by Somalian and Eritrean mercenaries. Over one million people were murdered and almost three million people displaced during the ensuing war. The invasion was marked by human rights violations, including torture and sexual assaults. The Bishop was in Ireland this June to address CIDSE – the International Cooperation for Development Solidarity group. CIDSE is an international alliance of seventeen Catholic development agencies from North America and Europe, fighting poverty and inequality by working together for global justice. Given the scale of destruction visited on his diocese, and the fact that peace-building and trauma healing is a slow process, Bishop Tesfa says he is grateful for any support he receives.

It was kidneys, sausages, bacon and copious cups of tea all the way at the Bloomsday breakfast held in Belvedere College on Monday 16 June 2025.Joyce himself was a pupil of the college from 1893 to 1898. Bloomsday is the annual celebration held on this day every year to commemorate the life and works of James Joyce, particularly his novel Ulysses. The hearty breakfast was served in the beautifully restored Belvedere house, and many of the attendees dressed, as customary, in early 20th-century attire reminiscent of Joyce’s Dublin. As the eating drew to a close the guest speaker Bruce Bradley SJ, historian, and biographer of James Joyce, took to the podium to deliver a short talk on Joyce and his time at Belvedere. (You can listen to it above, along with all the other proceedings of the morning including songs and performances from Joyce's work).

Croatian/Irish author and spiritual director Dr Iva Beranek, who worked as Parish Manager in St Francis Xavier’s Church, Gardiner Street, speaks with Pat Coyle about her two children's books. The first 'Veronica's Bookstore' which was published in 2021 and the sequel 'The Year of Celebrations' which has recently been published (2025). Both are published by Independent Publishing Network. The stories revolve around a young boy Matthew Alden and his family, in particular his grandmother who has passed away but still present through dreams and deeds she left as her legacy. Both books capture the importance of prayer, family, faith and love.

Irish Jesuit theologian Gerry O'Hanlon recently took part in an ecumenical seminar at Oxford University. the topic of 'Anglican and Catholic Synodality'. On his return to Ireland, Gerry spoke with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications about his meeting in Oxford. He talked about the contribution made by Anglican Professor Marc Chapman, and outlined the main points of discussion in his own talk. He also spoke to her about the importance of the role of women in the synodal processes initiated by the late Pope Francis. He expressed the hopes he has for the further inclusion of women in leadership and liturgical roles in the Catholic, if those processes continue to be customised and developed in parishes around the world.

Michael O'Sullivan: Returning to Chile by Irish Jesuits

Martha Phiri, the Policy and Advocacy officer with the Jesuit Centre for Ecology & Development (JCED) in Malawi speaks with Pat Coyle about life in Malawi, one of the worlds most vulnerable countries. Climate change is having a huge impact on agriculture which is crucial for the economy. The JCED have set up multiple initiatives to support local people and businesses there, with a particular focus on supporting women and children.

Irish Jesuit and Director of the Department of Fundamental Theology in Rome Gerry Whelan SJ, speaks with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications about the life and work of Pope Francis in light of his recent passing.

Faith gives hope - Donal Godfrey SJ by Irish Jesuits

Who is a good local? by Irish Jesuits

American actor Paul Rudd and singer songwriter Nick Jonas have sent a video message of support for the 41st annual Belvedere SleepOut which takes place at the Bank of Ireland College Green, Dublin, from Sunday 22 December at 12pm until Christmas Eve at noon, Tuesday 24 December 2024. Listen to the interview with some of the students from the SleepOut team about their plans for the two days, which include visiting choirs and a trad band, free haircuts and a warm welcome for anyone who wants to join them in this annual fundraiser for the homeless.

Father Tony returned to Ireland in June 2024 following a three year stay Syria. Earlier in the week Father Tony visited the Irish the Jesuit Communications office to share the backstory of what was happening in Syria which led to the historic weekend events.

In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, Gerry O'Hanlon gives his assessment of this final phase of Pope Francis' synodal processes which ended in Rome this October. In what some might regard as a surprisingly hopeful take on what emerged, he roots out important aspects of the Synod documents which he says have been paid scant attention, particularly regarding the controversial issue of the 'development of doctrine'.

Australian Jesuit and author Father Richard Leonard SJ reads a section from his latest book Why God? The book is a collection of personal stories focussing on four themes: church, liturgy and sacraments, society, and faith and spirituality. In this piece he speaks about his mother and the awful tragedies that occurred throughout her life. She has kept her faith in God throughout them all and now says "My bags are packed, I am ready to go home"