The only public service available to the poor, for which there is no waiting list, is the prison service, says Peter McVerry SJ.

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

Poverty is an ecological problem. Although degradation of the environment affects all human populations, it hits those living in poverty the hardest, says Catherine Devitt.

The first of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals commits to ending poverty in all forms everywhere. If we are to take this seriously it needs to include people in prison and their families, says Eoin Carroll.

A speech at the October 3rd Raise the Roof housing rally by Peter McVerry SJ urged the assembled crowd to let the government know that they would ‘vote homelessness out’ at the next general election.

A new climate report warns that countries must commit to becoming net zero emitters of greenhouse gas emissions before 2050, and that decisions made today are critical for ensuring a safe, sustainable future.

“The homeless and housing crisis is the biggest social problem that Ireland has faced in a generation,”  says Peter McVerry SJ. Support the Raise the Roof housing rally tomorrow and protest against the government’s failure to adequately address the crisis.

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.

Eoin Carroll’s article in the Irish Times looks back to the arrival of John Paul II in 1979, when 76 prisoners were granted early release, and questions why there is no mention of an amnesty to coincide with the visit of Pope Francis.