Irish Jesuit theologian Gerry O'Hanlon SJ talks to Pat Coyle and  outlines the theology underpinning Pope Francis' position on the non-possibility of women's ordination in the Catholic Church, and the pontiff's reliance on the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar. Dr O'Hanlon's Ph.D. thesis was on the work of von Balthasar.
He says that the 'theological intuition' that von Balthasar had regarding men and women represents a peripheral minority opinion that is not generally acceptable in the theological community per se.  He believes it was not a good theological mast for Francis to nail his colours to especially given his desire to insert women into significant leadership roles in the church.

Fr John Sullivan Theme

Understanding Pope Francis

Irish Jesuit and theologian Gerry O'Hanlon SJ speaks with Pat Coyle about the recent Synod on Synodality in Rome . He reflects on key topics raised there and gives his own unique insight into the potential for changes in the Catholic church that may emerge as part of this process

Fr Gerry O'Hanlon on the Synod

Pedro Walpole SJ, Irish Jesuit missionary, environmental scientist and activist in the Philippines is busy preparing for COP28 along with Jesuits and colleagues who have just launched their COP28@Homecampaiign.

Pedro Walpole SJ: Cop 28

"It's the worst COP ever" so says Pedro Walpole SJ, in an interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications. 

Pedro is an Irish Jesuit missionary and environmental scientist in the Philippines who is attending COP 28 this year. It takes place in Dubai on Thursday 30 November and ends on Tuesday 12 December.

COP 28: Is it too late?

Author John Callanan SJ speaks with Pat Coyle about his experiences with spiritual leader, author and psychologist Anthony De Mello SJ. John met De Mello in Ireland many years ago and he explains that De Mello taught him how to use the wisdom of the Scriptures by looking at their deeper meaning, incorporating them into his own psychology and day to day life.

God speaks to us are we listening?

Students of Belvedere College SJ will be taking part in the 40th Christmas SleepOut for the homeless, from 22-24 December 2023 in Dublin's city centre. Transition year students who slept out overnight in their gardens on Friday 8 September have already raised €80,000 and the donations for them are still flowing in. 

Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications met recently with this year's SleepOut23 team to learn about their plans and preparations and find out what celebrities might be joining them.

Aiming for the stars

A Cloud in Love, a children's tale by Nazim Hikmet, translated from Turkish into English by Evrim Emir-Sayers, audio recording by David Selim Sayers (Paris, France), 2023.

Read the story here: https://parisinstitute.org/a-cloud-in-love/

soundcloud: @parisinstitute
instagram: www.instagram.com/parisinstitute/
facebook: www.facebook.com/parisinstitute.org/
twitter: twitter.com/Paris_Critical
linkedin: www.linkedin.com/school/paris-ins…itical-thinking/

A Cloud In Love

Richard Leonard SJ puts religious language to the test and finds it wanting, in his latest book 'The Law of Love'. In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, he turns to the beatitudes (gospel of Matthew chapter 5: 3-12). He says that he wanted to update some of the language and modern applications concerning this powerful gospel teaching.

Finding God at the barricades

When James (Jim Foley)  an American journalist, was tragically murdered by the terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) in 2014 a video showing his beheading was released by the group, shocking the world and drawing widespread condemnation. Jim Foley's death was a horrific and senseless act of violence but his heartbroken mother, Diane Foley was determined that her son's death would not be in vain. 

In this interview with Pat Coyle, she is joined by well-known Irish author (based in New York) Colm McCann. He has just co-published a book about Diane and Jim called American Mother. Together they tell her of, what they call, the God -instances that brought them together and how they continue.

Diane speaks of both her and Jim's Jesuit connections. He attended the Jesuit-run Marquette University where 'Be the Difference' was their motto, which she says, changed him. She did the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius every week in a little church in Maine, all through Jim's captivity in Syria. "Two years of prayer that got me through it," she says.

Grief as a weapon for good

'New Models of Solidarity and Collaboration' was the title of a talk given by Fr Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orabator, to Jesuits and colleagues who gathered in the Arrupe Room, Milltown Park, Dublin on Monday 4 March 2024 at 7pm. His friend and fellow Jesuit John Guiney SJ, Director of Irish Jesuits International, warmly welcomed him to Ireland to give this talk and the Trocaire lecture the following evening.

Fr Orobator is the dean of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. He is widely known for his scholarship and talks on the study of the Church, and for his specific focus on ethics, human rights, and human dignity. 

You can listen to his talk followed by a probing question and answer session.

Understanding Pope Francis

Irish Jesuits

Related tracks