Joe Little

Religious & Social Affairs Correspondent

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano pictured in 2016 washing the foot of Sister Antonia Sanchez in Washington DC

Ex-Vatican official calls for Pope to resign over abuse

A former top Vatican official and critic of Pope Francis has accused the Pontiff of having known of allegations of sex abuse by a prominent US cardinal for five years before accepting his resignation last month, and he has called on him to resign.

Pope Francis In Ireland • 26 Aug 18

Pope Francis delivered a handwritten address at the Phoenix Park Papal Mass (Pic: Maxwell Photography)

Pope asks for forgiveness for abuses of Catholic church

Pope Francis has issued the Catholic church's most comprehensive acknowledgment to date for abuse perpetrated by its representatives here.

Pope Francis In Ireland • 26 Aug 18

Pope Francis greets a child as he arrives for his weekly general audience the day after the Parkland school shooting

How will Pope Francis respond to Ireland's cries?

RTÉ's Religious and Social Affairs Correspondent Joe Little recalls how Pope Francis recently told young people 'you have it in you to shout'. But how will the Pontiff respond to Ireland's cries?

Analysis and Comment • 24 Aug 18

Diarmuid Martin said Pope Francis must speak frankly about the church's past in Ireland

Not enough for church to apologise for abuse - Martin

The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said the church has to find a way to sanction bishops who gravely fail victims of child sexual abuse.

The Pope in Ireland • 19 Aug 18

Cardinal Wuerl has been at the centre of a number of controversies over his role in church cover-ups of clerical sex child abuse

Cardinal Wuerl withdraws from Dublin meeting

The Catholic Archbishop of Washington DC, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, has pulled out of next week's three-day World Meeting of Families where he was due to deliver Wednesday's keynote address.

The Pope in Ireland • 23 Aug 18

Mary McAleese said the pope's mode of thinking in putting the defence of the institution first was due to his formation as a priest and as a bishop

McAleese: Pope putting church defence ahead of victims

Former president Mary McAleese has accused Pope Francis of being in a mode of thinking that puts the defence of the Catholic Church as an institution ahead of the interests of victims of clerical child sexual abuse.

Ireland • 18 Aug 18

Cardinal Sean P O'Malley was due to moderate a discussion on 'Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults'

Cardinal withdraws from World Meeting of Families

One of the Vatican's key advisers on clerical sex abuse, Cardinal Sean P O'Malley, has withdrawn from the World Meeting of Families where he was due to chair its first televised debate on child safeguarding.

The Pope in Ireland • 16 Aug 18

Pope Francis is visiting Ireland on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 August

People urged to book transport for papal mass early

Iarnród Éireann is urging people who are attending the papal mass in Phoenix Park on 26 August to book Intercity trains as soon as possible.

The Pope in Ireland • 14 Aug 18

Dublin man John McGarry came up with the idea after finding himself on his feet for hours at sporting events and concerts

Portable chair proving a hit ahead of papal mass

An environmentally friendly portable chair is proving a big hit for pilgrims planning to attend the papal mass in the Phoenix Park later this month.

The Pope in Ireland • 23 Aug 18

The article related to Bartholomew Prendergast who is to be sentenced later this year for child abuse

Bishop withdraws accusations made against newspaper

The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan, has withdrawn accusations made earlier this week against the Sunday World newspaper that it published a "wholly incorrect" report which "seriously impugned" the good name and reputation of a senior priest of the diocese.

Munster • 10 Aug 18