Irish Jesuits

In this interview with Pat Coyle, Fr. Donal Godfrey, an Irish Jesuit serving as chaplain at the University of San Francisco reflects on the recent remarks of Pope Leo XIV and the response to them from Donald Trump and his administration. He shares what it is like to live and minister in the United States at present amid numerous rising conflicts, most recently the war with Iran, controversial political rhetoric, and growing unease among ordinary citizens. He also addresses the role of Church leadership, the moral questions surrounding war and political power, and the lived reality of communities affected by fear, migration issues, and social division.

In this second part of an extended interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, Dr Phyllis Zagano, Professor of Religion at Hofstra University in New York, continues her exposition of the long‑standing question of women in the diaconate, arguing that the issue is less about doctrine than about history, theology, and culture.

Fr. Allan Ggita is a Jesuit priest serving as the Director of Development for the Jesuits of Eastern Africa Province (EAP). He's in Ireland at the invitation of Irish Jesuits International, speaking to Jesuit students and colleagues about his work supporting vulnerable communities in South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, he talks about bringing development, sustainability, and the Jesuits themselves into one of the largest urban slums in Nairobi, Kenya. He says it is a privilege to work with and learn from the community there.

Eric Clayton is an author, retreat giver and Deputy Director of Communications for the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the USA. He was in Ireland recently giving workshops and retreats in both the Manresa Spirituality Centre Dublin, and the Jesuit Spirituality Centre in Belfast. Whilst here, he spoke with Pat Coyle about his children’s book, Our Mother Too: Mary Embraces the World. The book introduces children to Mary, the mother of Jesus, through eight apparitions around the world—from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico to Our Lady of La Vang in Vietnam and Our Lady of Lourdes in France. In each place, Mary appears in ways that reflect local culture, showing that her love reaches every community. Children discover that just as Mary meets people where they are, God is present in their own families, traditions, and lives—always drawing them closer in love. Listen to the full interview above.

'Not Christian, not Catholic, and horrifying.' So says Dr Phyllis Zagano, Professor of Religion at Hofstra University in New York, commenting on the Vatican's second commission on the diaconate, which recently published a letter revealing a 50/50 split within the commission on whether women could 'image Christ'. Listen above to part one of an extended interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications on the diaconate of women, in which she explains that early church documents show women were ordained as deacons using the same liturgies as men. She also notes how Conciliar documents and 11th-century papal permissions support the ordination of women deacons. She says that no official doctrinal statement has overturned this historical practice, and that to this day Orthodox churches continue to ordain women as deacons.

James Hanvey SJ's interpretation of the 'mission to creation' in St Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises involves a profound integration of theology, spirituality, and cosmology. In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, Dr Hanvey explains how St Ignatius’ vision for us extends far beyond personal sanctification or interior conversion; it is a call for participation in God’s dynamic, creative mission that embraces the whole of creation. The Jesuit theologian reminds us that at the heart of Pope Francis's encyclical on the care of the earth, Laudato Sí, is a call for an ecological conversion. He says, "Christ is at the centre of all creation, and we are called to be co-creators with Christ." Each person is called to become a co-creator who can discern where God’s creative Spirit is moving and cooperating with it for the flourishing of all creation. This being sent forth to love and serve in a manner that renews the face of the earth is no easy task. Rather, it involves challenging reflection that may lead to tough decisions about how we relate to all of God's creation – including the animals we love and those we eat.

Theologian Dr James Hanvey SJ explains the origin, history and development of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in this first of a two-part interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications. The Spiritual Exercises were devised and written by Ignatius in the 16th century, but as James Hanvey says, they can be implemented in a variety of innovative ways suited to today's world.

Theologian Dr James Hanvey SJ explains the origin, history and development of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in this first of a two-part interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications. The Spiritual Exercises were devised and written by Ignatius in the 16th century, but as James Hanvey says, they can be implemented in a variety of innovative ways suited to today's world.

Cesare Sposetti SJ, from the Jesuit social justice journal Aggiornamento Sociali in Milan, was one of the guest speakers at a recent conference hosted by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Manresa. Jesuits and colleagues from various works in the Irish Jesuit Province attended. Fr Sposetti guided those gathered through a reflection on the relationship between justice work and Ignatian spirituality in a presentation entitled: "A Faith That Does Justice: Why It Still Matters".

In this interview above with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, Soline Humbert, author of 'A Divine Calling: One Woman’s Lifelong Battle for Equality in the Catholic Church', tells the story of her vocation, and shares about the power and pain of a divine calling that will never go away, but at present, cannot be fulfilled. She also speaks about her faith, and her hope that times are changing within the Catholic church, and this may just be the kairos moment (an decisive or opportune moment, often referred to a 'God's appointed time') that will allow for the potential of her divine calling to be fulfilled.

In this second part of her interview with American Jesuit theologian Bart Geger, Pat Coyle explores with him the 'discernment of spirits'. St Ignatius talks of the good spirit and the bad spirit, and learning to recognise which is which. Bart Geger explains what Ignatius has to say on the topic, along with the much earlier Church Fathers. He also relates this discernment process with coming to know God's will.

In the interview above with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, filmmaker and former Crescent College Limerick student Éamon Little, speaks about his acclaimed new documentary Born That Way. It tells the story of Patrick Lydon, who set up, lived and worked in Camphill communities for people with disabilities that have operated in Ireland for 50 years.

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"

Austen Ivereigh, journalist and biographer of Pope Francis has been writing about the Sacred Heart in The Tablet in anticipation of the encyclical. In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, he outlines the background to 'Dixit Nos -He Loved Us' and speaks about Pope Francis' personal devotion to the Sacred Heart and the importance of the Sacred Heart as a popular devotion in the lives of Catholics worldwide. He also outlines the enduring significance of the wounds of Christ for Pope Francis, as evidenced after an emotional encounter he had with women who had been trafficked.

Austen Ivereigh, journalist and biographer of Pope Francis has been writing about the Sacred Heart in The Tablet in anticipation of the encyclical. In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, he outlines the background to 'Dixit Nos -He Loved Us' and speaks about Pope Francis' personal devotion to the Sacred Heart and the importance of the Sacred Heart as a popular devotion in the lives of Catholics worldwide. He also outlines the enduring significance of the wounds of Christ for Pope Francis, as evidenced after an emotional encounter he had with women who had been trafficked.

Author and Jesuit Father Richard Leonard SJ reads a section from his latest book 'Why God?'. In the piece Father Richard reflects on a time when he was given the opportunity to be part of a birthing experience with a young woman named Mary who fell pregnant at the age of sixteen and had no birthing partner.

Vincentian Priest and Spiritual Director, Father Michael McCullagh speaks with Pat Coyle Director of Jesuit Communications in Knock about his recent book 'With Due Respect: Taking a Second Look at God, at Self, at Others' which was launched earlier this year. Michael explains that the word "respect" comes from the Latin "respectus" from the verb respicere "look back at" or in Michael's words" looking at things through a different lens". Michael's inspiration for the book were people such as Brian Keenan, Etty Hillesum and Maya Angelou, all of whom took a second look at life through the lens of faith and hope despite enduring captivity and hardship. Michael reflects on his many years of experience as a Spiritual Director and tells Pat how we can all be a "Mystic in Action".

Journalist, author and biographer of Pope Francis, Dr. Austen Ivereigh was the Novena guest speaker at Knock on 14 August 2024. His talk was entitled 'Hope for a Changing Church'. In this interview with Pat Coyle of the Irish Jesuit Communication Centre he reflects on the topics raised during his talk, specifically the "communion of unity and fraternity". He says there are two different kinds of unity, one being “unity in hatred” which we are seeing more of today. Dr Ivereigh discusses Pope Francis’ actions in the face of this hatred and how we as individuals can “offer the first hand of friendship” towards the communion of unity.

Author and Jesuit Father Richard Leonard SJ reflects on the life of the late Father Gerald Collins SJ who died on 22 August 2024 at age ninety three.

Fr Richard Leonard gave a workshop on ‘Taking a fresh look at Mary’ in Knock. He outlined 10 key points about her that we can learn from the gospels, noting that the references to her are often so sparse and so familiar that we lose the depth of their meaning.

Youth Pilgrimage by Irish Jesuits

Pilgrimage Points by Irish Jesuits

André Brouillette SJ, author of The Pilgrim Paradigm: Faith in Motion and lecturer at Boston College speaks with Pat Coyle about the three aspects of Pilgrimage, embodiment, vulnerability, and memory.

'Wildness and Structure' was just one of the many themes to emerge from the SpIRE (Spirituality Institute for Research and Education) lecture. The general title for the event was 'Pilgrimage by Land or Sea: Portal to Spiritual Awakening and Eco Awareness.' The keynote presenters were André Brouillette SJ, lecturer in Boston College, USA, and author of The Pilgrim Paradigm: Faith in Motion. And Dónal Ó Céilleachair, award-winning filmmaker of The Camino Voyage, a documentary following the pilgrimage of four men in a boat who rowed from Dublin to Santiago de Compostela.

In this interview with Pat Coyle, Brian Grogan SJ remembers his friend the late Imogen Stuart, renowned German-Irish artist.

Well-known papal author Austen Ivereigh's latest book, 'First Belong: On Retreat with Pope Francis' is a new departure for him and he explains why in this with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications.

Imogen Stuart, German-Irish sculptor influenced by 19th-century Expressionism and early Irish Christian art died at the age of 96 on 24 March 2024. On 4 November 2017 Imogen joined Brian Grogan SJ for an open interview with a live audience in Knock. The live interview was captured and can be listened to at the link above. In the interview Imogen discusses various aspects of her life and art down the years, her grandson Émile flashes images of her work on a large screen behind her as Imogen provides an in depth look at each piece of art. Imogen says “The Holy Spirit is most definitely in my work”. This was especially true of one of her carvings, namely a  bee-hive cell, along the lines of those on Skellig Michael, ‘though Imogen’s was made out of cedar wood and not the stone that the monks would have used. The cell is used as a meditation room to this day and can be found in Knock at knock Shrine.

Author Brian Brock speaks with Pat Coyle about 'disability theology', the Christian community and how it responds to those with disabilities.

Brian Grogan SJ launches a 'Creation Walk' developed around the extensive church grounds of Knock Basilica on Saturday 25 May 2024, 10.30 am -3.30 pm. The walk is a wheelchair-friendly half-kilometer of stations telling the story of the creation of the universe, with gospel quotes to aid meditation and prayerful reflection along the way, The walk, a first for Ireland, is inspired by Brian Grogan's latest book 'Creation Walk - The Amazing Story of a Small Blue Planet. As Brian tells Pat Coyle in the interview above, the 'Creation Walk' is a scientific story told along a contemplative path that one walks in the presence of the great God-creator who gifts us with all of good things. He also tells her how the walk came to be, the spirituality that underpins it, and his hopes for its future development.

'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.

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.