TV and Radio

The Archbishop of Dublin has said parents are still interested in schools with a catholic ethos. David Quinn of the Iona Institute was interviewed by Pat Kenny on this topic, confirming that there is an enduring demand for Catholic education. The interview can be heard here.

Read more...

The decline of Christian burial

David Quinn of the Iona Institute was on the Tonight Show  on Wednesday discussing the decline of Christian burial in Ireland, with presenter Claire Brock and independent celebrant Conor Clear. (The debate begins at about minute 33)      

Read more...

Better off without religion?

David Quinn of The Iona Institute and Michael Nugent of Atheist Ireland discuss the place of religion in Irish society and the world and whether we are better off without religious belief. David argued that secular humanism is based on Christian foundations it either won’t acknowledge or takes for granted. The debate took place on...

Read more...

Are bishops right to allow First Holy Communion and Confirmation again?

A number of Catholic bishops have given the green light to First Holy Communions and Confirmations taking place again from the middle of the month even though this is against public health guidance. David Quinn of the Iona Institute was on Drivetime (RTE) to debate the matter with Tomas Ryan of Trinity College Dublin. David...

Read more...

Irish divorce figures hit a new high

Applications for divorce reached their highest level ever last year, according to new data from the Courts Service. Some 5,266 applications were made, an increase of 29pc on 2019, and by far the highest annual figure since divorce was introduced in 1997. Breda O’Brien, Patron of the Iona Institute and Irish Times Columnist was on Newstalk Breakfast yesterday to discuss...

Read more...

Assisted suicide tells some people their lives aren’t worth living

David Quinn of The Iona Institute was on Lunchtime Live on Newstalk to discuss assisted suicide as a Bill intended to legalise the practice discussed by the Oireachtas Justice Committee. David said that permitting it would send some people the signal that their lives are not worth living and therefore assisted suicide is not simply...

Read more...

National Maternity Hospital and the Sisters of Charity

David Quinn of the Iona Institute was interviewed on RTE’s Drivetime yesterday about the ongoing row over the proposed new National Maternity Hospital and possible links with the Sisters of Charity. David said the hospital would not have a Catholic ethos and that the Sisters should not have agreed to have the hospital built on...

Read more...

Should pro-choice Catholic politicians be banned from Communion?

The American Catholic bishops are debating whether strongly pro-choice Catholic politicians like President Joe Biden should be banned from receiving Holy Communion. David Quinn discussed the matter with Sean Moncrieff on Newstalk yesterday. You can listen to the item here.  

Read more...

David Quinn discusses the new sex education material

David Quinn of The Iona Institute was on The Hard Shoulder today discussing new sex education material published by the bishops for use in Catholic primary schools. His main point? Sex education should be in accord with the wishes of parents. If they want it taught through in school through a Catholic lens, it would...

Read more...

Iona Institute Director “fully sympathises” with Cavan priest fined for celebrating mass with people present

The Director of the Iona Institute, David Quinn, says he “fully sympathises” with Mullahoran priest Father PJ Hughes, who has been given a fixed penalty notice of €500 for breaching Covid-19 restrictions.  David Quinn told Joe Finnegan Show that it is questionable whether Father Hughes’ actions were a breach of the law. You can hear the...

Read more...