Peter CostelloAnthony Redmond Fr Daniel O’Leary is a well known Irish priest, author, teacher and preacher living in England. Over the past number of years, I have read and reviewed a few of his books, among them Travelling Light, Begin with the Heart, and Unmasking God. He is a truly wonderful and inspirational writer, and his…
Month: April 2014
Calvary as a reflection on ‘post Catholic’ Ireland
Michael KellyI went to see John Michael McDonagh’s new film Calvary at the weekend. It’s a dark tale where Brendan Gleeson plays a rural parish priest. The title – Calvary – evoking the passion and death of Christ makes it clear that, while there are amusing moments, this is no comedy film. The film is a…
The Apostle Anne and domestic violence
Paul KeenanDear Editor, In response to the letter by Mary Leahy (IC 3/4/14). This letter to the editor is concerning in its distortions. The Breakable Vow is an accurate portrayal of the realities of life for a family struggling with domestic violence. The suggestion seems to be that if a woman or man were holy enough…
The Irish Church needs the National Mission
Dear Editor, The absence of a response to the call by Pope Benedict for a National Mission in the Irish Church (IC 3/5/14) may be indicative of an unwillingness to confront the spiritual malaise which afflicts us. A young German theologian who studied at the Milltown Institute a number of years ago described the Irish…
Would you pay a price for what you believe?
David QuinnStanding up to opponents just got harder
Filling up the ‘God shaped hole’
In her teens Shirley du Boulay fell in love with a beech tree. If this sounds like some hyper Green Party activity it is not. What she went through was a mystical experience akin to those of many saints, and some poets and artists, echoes here of Vaughan, Traherne, Blake, Wordsworth, and Samuel Palmer. She…
Recalling John Paul II’s love for young people
Assessing the late Pope’s impact
Pope and Queen Elizabeth in cordial meeting
Leaders exchange gifts and greetings
Vatican trafficking conference
International delegates travel to Rome
Prayers for Cameroon abductees
Priests and nun kidnapped