Dear Editor, Your front page coverage of Pope Francis’ warning on the plight of Christians in the Middle East (Danger of Christian ‘extinction’ in Mid-East, IC 21/11/13) reveals a sad, not to say disturbing reality in what our current Pope represents to Western observers and the media which has been so keen on the so-called…
Month: November 2013
Pope Francis biography launched in Argentina
Paul KeenanArgentina – A book drawing on testimonies of Jesuits and Argentinian citizens who have encountered the man who is now Pope Francis has been released in his home country. Francis: Life and Revolution has been penned by journalist Elisabetta Piqué (pictured), who has personally known Pope Francis since 2001. Not only does the book offer…
Tributes paid to Fr Alec Reid 1931-2013
"Fr Reid will perhaps best be remembered for the courageous part he played in identifying and nurturing the early seeds of an inclusive peace process. Fr Reid’s role as a channel for peace laid the ground for the achievement of the IRA cease-fire and created the political space for the multi-party talks that ultimately led…
Fr Reid was a true hero
Dear Editor, – Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them (Shakespeare). A great man has passed in the person of Fr Alec Reid – though his characteristic humility would’ve undoubtedly seen him embarrassed as such sentiment. In a world that lauds multimillionaire football players and loose-living celebrities…
Faith-based sector ‘at the heart of communities’
NI Development Minister pays tribute to the work of parishes and faith-based organisations
The quiet eye of a Jesuit
Peter CostelloFather Browne’s Laois edited by E. E. O’Donnell (Messenger Publications, €15.00 hb / £17.64)
Beware misguided loyalties
Anyone familiar with the life and writings of Simone Weil will, I am sure, agree that she was a woman of exceptional faith. She was also a woman with an unwavering commitment to the poor. But, and this may seem anomalous, she was also exceptional and unwavering in a certain resistance she had towards the…
An iconic yet enigmatic figure
Nuala O’LoanFr Alec Reid was a man of courage who dedicated his life to peace, writes Nuala O’Loan
Pope closes the Year of Faith
Pope Francis has officially closed the Year of Faith. Before a packed St Peterís Square last Sunday, the Pontiff concluded the last celebration of the Year and reminded the faithful to keep Jesus ìcentralî to their lives. ìJesus is the centre of creation; and so the attitude demanded of us as true believers is that…
Islamist factions unite in Syria
A leading prelate in Syria has called on “foreign forces” to end their support for Islamist fighters in Syria who have banded together with the aim of creating an Islamic state there. Gregorios III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek Melkite Church issued his call last weekend following the announcement that seven Islamistrebel groups…