Courtney McGrailDear Editor, In your November 26 edition the question is asked, is there evidence that Irish people “punch above their weight” in paedophilia? There is no such evidence. But the impression has been successfully given that paedophilia is a specially Irish or Catholic or clerical problem. It is not. Catholics are partly to blame that such an impression…
Month: December 2015
Justice delayed
Paul KeenanEl Salvador’s civil war killers face fading immunity, writes Paul Keenan
The sacrifice of the Church
Cathal BarryThe whole Church is united with the offering and intercession of Christ, writes Cathal Barry
Recognising the importance of sensitivity
Fr Ronald RolheiserSome years ago, I was challenged by a bishop regarding an article I’d written. We were talking in his office and the tone eventually got a little testy: “How can you write something like that?” he asked. “Because it’s true,” was my blunt reply. He already knew it was true, but now, realising that, he…
Offering positive alternatives to alcohol
Mags GarganMags Gargan attends the national conference of the No Name Club, an alcohol-free youth initiative
Make your own personalised Christmas jumper
Erin FoxWith Christmas jumpers becoming more and more popular every year, the selection in designs grows too. You can have whichever Christmas jumper design you like when you make it yourself. Create your own personalised festive jumper by getting crafty with an old sweater. Think of your favourite thing about Christmas, whether it’s the Christmas tree,…
Children are able to sense conflict without seeing it
For people who enjoy Christmas, this is a magical time of year. For those who remember or who are having a sad or painful time, this is not the most wonderful time of the year. Yet, because there are festive decorations and messages all around us, there is a pressure to be ready and to…
Dad’s Diary
The kids wanted to know what Christmas was like in “the olden days”, that is, when I was a boy. “Come on!” I said indignantly, “the 1980s is not the olden days!” But they insisted that it was. Time is relative, I suppose. The end of the 1980s happened over 24 years ago – over…
Mrs McAleese is not a bridge builder for the Church
Dear Editor, I read with interest Martin O’Brien’s interview with Mary McAleese in your November 12 edition. He was high in his praise and admiration of her. We all admired her many good qualities, her courage and determination, her intelligence, her eloquence and not least her commitment to build peace between the two communities she had such…
Combining two dimensions of Christ’s ministry is difficult
Dear Editor, In the course of the interview with Mary McAleese ‘There’s something about Mary’ (IC 12/11/2015) she stated “My views are founded emphatically in the Gospel”, before going on to explain in beautiful language that her faith in Christ is “the essence of my being”, “the love of Christ, his offer of mercy to…