Kevin Hargaden’s piece in today’s Irish Times puts the recent blasphemy referendum into context, saying the real blasphemy exists in those who utter pious words to people in deepest need and yet offer no help to provide them with the essentials of life.

The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice is seeking a Director. The ideal candidate will have an awareness of and commitment to social justice issues and the Ignatian ethos of the centre. Details below.

Global poverty is one of those seemingly rare topics where there might be good news to celebrate, says Kevin Hargaden.  

Pope Francis, in everything he says and does, takes the side of the poor and marginalised over and against the wealthy and powerful. He challenges the global structures which deny many their basic human rights and maintain people in their poverty and suffering, while enriching the few, says Peter McVerry SJ. 

Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland is a cause of excitement to many and dismay to others. Beneath the flurry of events associated with the World Meeting of Families and the simmering controversy around protests, his visit is an opportunity to reflect on one of the major emphases of his papacy, says Kevin Hargaden.

Stanley Hauerwas is arguably the most influential moral theologian of the last generation. On Saturday 30th June, he appears at an event in All Hallow’s Campus, DCU with fellow theologian Brian Brock to discuss the book ‘Beginnings: Interrogating Hauerwas’ which is edited by the JCFJ’s Kevin Hargaden.    

The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (JCFJ) is inviting applications for the position of Policy and Research Intern. The ideal candidate will have a passion for social justice issues, e.g. the rights and needs of people in prison, a desire to solve homelessness or stop climate change, be a self-starter and have excellent organisational skills.

JCFJ Social Theologian, Dr Kevin Hargaden participated in the third round of meetings for the Higher Education for Social Transformation (HEST) initiative. The HEST Economy, Poverty and Ethics Cluster Update took place in Madrid, on 1-2 March, 2018.

The ‘Republic of Opportunity’ that Leo Varadkar spoke about on the occasion of his election as Taoiseach is not evident for young people, says James Doorley, in the latest edition of Working Notes.   

Mental health is the number one health concern for young people in Ireland. This may be related to the intensity and vulnerability of youth, says Dr Tony Bates, of youth organisation Jigsaw, in our latest edition of Working Notes.