Shows
The Confession BoxEpisode 25: Youth in Armagh – a personal story from a youth coordinatorComing up on today's episode, Wendy will talk to the youth coordinator for the diocese of Armagh. Rob O Hara, in our conversation we will hear about his life, the ups and downs and what role faith has played in it all, from love to loss to looking for happiness in all the wrong places before getting back on the path God had planned for him, that's all coming up on today's Confession Box.2024-07-1130 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 24: Getting back on God’s pathIn the latest episode of The Confession Box, host Wendy Grace chats with Rob O’Hara the youth coordinator for the Diocese of Armagh. In our conversation, we hear about his life, the ups and downs and what role faith has played in it all, from love to loss to looking for happiness in all the wrong places, before getting back on the path God had planned for him.2024-06-2730 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 23: New Bishop sees generous priests and busy churches in DublinGarry O’Sullivan interviews Dublin's newest Auxiliary Bishop Paul Dempsey about his move from the Diocese of Achonry, the challenges he faces in Ireland's largest diocese, and more! 2024-06-2123 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 22: Is a smartphone free childhood possible? The overwhelming evidence on the impact of digital devices on children's mental health and development continues to mount. But is it possible to get the genie back in the bottle?In this episode of The Confession Box, Wendy Grace talks to one of the founders of a UK movement aiming to give children a smartphone free childhood. They explore the harm these devices are causing and the grassroots movements finally pushing back in an effort to start a culture change.Wendy also talks to Cybersafe Kids about the new draft online safety code which aims...2024-06-1428 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 21: Birthgap - is population collapse the next pandemic that dare not speak its name? On the latest episode of The Confession Box, host Wendy Grace talks to data scientist and demographer Stephen J. Shaw about the detrimental impacts of population decline. Stephen explains the shocking revelations from his documentary film "Birthgap - Childless World" including:- Causes and societal impacts of falling birth rates around the world- Unplanned childlessness- Population collapse and its impacts- The future for our children- Impacts on health, housing and the workforce- What strategies need to be put in place to try...2024-06-0728 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 20: Catholic youth looking for community and depthEoin McCormack, a parish catechist in a busy Dublin parish is in the Confession Box this week to tell us what young Catholics are searching for and what challenges they are facing in a culture that has walked away from traditional faith.2024-05-3024 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 19: How to answer your child's difficult God questionsIn the latest episode of The Confession Box, we speak with Julianne Stanz about faith and children’s faith formation – what would you say to a 7 year old if they ask you what’s the closest planet to heaven?Julianne is the author of 'The Catholic Parents Survival Guide – Straight Answers to Your Kids Toughest Questions' and she spoke to real parents and kids from all different ages and answered the faith questions that sometimes perplex parents.2024-05-2326 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 18: Birthgap - Ireland’s Looming Population CrisisIn the latest episode of The Confession Box, Wendy Grace talks to Fertility expert Dr Phil Boyle, the president of the International Institute for restorative reproductive medicine.Wendy and Dr Boyle explore Ireland's falling fertility rate and the impact that the 'birthgap' will have socio economically, the Government spending taxpayers money on Fertility treatments that cost more and are less effective and how women's health is often ignored or sidelined.2024-05-1630 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 17: The rise of the child influencer – an industry out of control?Are content-creating children safe in the online sphere? Are they protected from being hypersexualised by thousands of viewers? Are brands using ‘child influencers’ encouraging an unhealthy industry where parents ‘manage’ their child’s time and money for their personal gain? What are the long term psychological consequences of such an upbringing?Regular hosts Brandon Scott and Wendy Grace sit down with Essex Law School lecturer Dr Francis Rees to discuss the rising number of young influencers in Ireland and abroad. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have exposed the unregulated role of parents who are commod...2024-05-0132 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 16: Report warns that Catholic education in terminal declineDr Eamonn Conway is an expert in Catholic education and one of the international researchers of a new report on the state of Catholic ethos in Ireland’s Catholic schools. The report's findings state that the next generation of principals and teachers are not believers and are unlikely to carry on the Catholic ethos.2024-04-2526 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 15: Ireland’s Bishops have finally decided to downsizeChanges not seen in the Irish Church for 1000 years happened today, when the Papal Nuncio announced the effective amalgamation of western dioceses. What does this mean for the Irish Church and is this the end of the beginning of the end of institutional Irish Catholicism?Michael Kelly joins us in studio for a Confession Box special.2024-04-1010 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 14: GOVT’s chequered treatment of disabled people, the scourge of drugs and the Vatican goes to the cinemaIn this episode of The Confession Box, Brandon Scott and Ruadhan Jones discuss the accusations that Government is not doing enough for people with disabilities, a cathedral being exposed to drug use and the unlikely relationship between the Vatican and the film reel. 2024-02-2321 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 13: Parenting and the smart phone, the closure of Veritas and flagging Christian persecutionIn this edition of The Confession Box Brandon Scott and Ruadhan Jones dissect the latest topics and themes in this week's edition of The Irish Catholic newspaper, featuring phones, Christian persecution and another loss to the Catholic landscape in Ireland. 2024-02-1616 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 12: John Bruton - Christian democrat, in praise of women religious and the Catholic scene in ScotlandIn this episode of The Confession Box, Brandon Scott, Ruadhan Jones and Ian Dunn delve into the issues, topics and themes in this week's Irish Catholic newspaper ... along with some other surprises!2024-02-0920 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 11: What is so special about Christmas?In today's episode, Brandon and Michael Kelly (Editor of the Irish Catholic) discuss what makes Christmas such a special time of year and it's importance to Catholic's around the world.2023-12-2217 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 10: A Church is not just for Christmas, lack of media balance causing people to look elsewhere and tips to avoid the dark sideIn this episode of The Confession Box podcast, Brandon Scott and editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper Michael Kelly delve into the issues, topics and themes in this week's Irish Catholic newspaper. 2023-12-1519 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 9: Celebrating the life and faith of Shane MacGowan, not mentioning Christmas until Christmas and reflecting on Michael Kelly's 18 year legacy with The Irish CatholicIn episode 9 of The Confession Box, Brandon Scott and editor Michael Kelly reflect on the intertwined life and faith of Shane MacGowan, society's urge to start talking about Christmas earlier and earlier every year and some parting words from the editor of The Irish Catholic as he prepares to step down from his post after an 18 year affiliation with the paper.2023-12-0724 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 8: Is Ireland becoming a more violent place?Today's guest is Michael Kelly, editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper. 2023-11-2423 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 7: A nun risking her life to save people, the Pope's run-in with Rocky and parishes don't run on Hail MarysIn this episode, Brandon Scott and Michael Kelly discuss the latest news, views and stories in this week's Irish Catholic newspaper featuring a nun who professed she would rather die than fail in her duty of care in war-torn Ethiopia; why people are realising that the Sacraments cost and the Pope runs into Rocky - without a knockout blow!2023-09-1515 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 6: Young, Proud and Catholic - Irish Americans rock the home countryNotre Dame President John Jenkins and Cardinal Dolan speak to our guest Michael Kelly on the deep roots of Irish American Catholicism. Also why is Uncle Sam fighting with Uncle Frank?2023-09-0816 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 5: Michael Kelly of The Irish Catholic shares his experience of World Youth Day 2023In the latest episode of The Confession Box, Garry O'Sullivan and Brandon Scott chat to Michael Kelly, editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper about his experiences at World Youth Day and the challenges parishes face in trying to provide spaces for young people to express their faith, the exact meaning of 'Todos, todos, todos' going forward and 'one rule for you, another for us': Pope Francis' regrettably questionable response to abuse in the Church.2023-08-1116 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 4: The terror of inner-city Dublin; Should we separate the Art from an abusive Artist; The decline in no. of priests in Clogher DioceseIn the latest episode, Garry O'Sullivan and Michael Kelly discuss the current hot topics in Ireland - the consequences of a seemingly lawless inner-city Dublin for the general public and what it says about the current Govt; the grim future of Clogher diocese and many others facing a similar shortage of priests; and the prospect of removing beautiful art due to it being tainted by allegations of a serious nature against the artist, in this case Fr Rupnik.2023-07-2816 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 3: Sinead O’Connor was 'prophetic', says Irish priestIn this episode, Garry O’Sullivan and Brandon Scott have a frank conversation with Fr Joe McDonald, author of Why the Irish Church Deserves to Die, about how prophetic and courageous the late Sinead O’Connor’s words were about the rampant abuse in the Catholic Church in Ireland and how shameful the reaction and even inaction of society was at the time.2023-07-2720 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 2: The Fate of Christians in the Holy LandOn this episode of The Confession Box, Garry O'Sullivan and Michael Kelly discuss the fate of Christians in the Holy Land and the current right-wing Israeli Governments' intentions when it comes to allowing the less than 2% minority group retain its livelihoods.2023-07-2610 min
The Confession BoxEpisode 1: Pope Francis' Synod selections, the DDF and World Youth DayOn this episode of The Confession Box, Garry O'Sullivan and Brandon Scott take the opportunity to speak to Michael Kelly, Editor of The Irish Catholic Newspaper, about a number of current hot topics: Dissecting Pope Francis' Synod selections: surprises and disappointmentsA historic appointment for an embattled communityDivider or reformer? Just who is the new prefect of the DDF and what sort of culture will he bring?No evangelisation please... A World Youth Day with three dimensionsPope Francis' strategy for this upcoming Synod of Bishops2023-07-1922 min
The Confession BoxIntroducing: The Confession BoxIntroducing: The Confession BoxAs freedom of speech and expression become more and more restricted in our world – the Confession Box provides a safe space where no subject is taboo and every voice gets a hearing. Join us on all major streaming apps or get in touch by emailing garry@columba.ie2023-07-1900 min