Dear Editor, Many years ago I asked a group of boys to name their favourite television show. The vast majority named The Incredible Hulk as the one that most took their fancy. In order to satisfy my curiosity I had to sit and watch a programme. The essence of what was to come was spoken…
Dear Editor, To cope with the diminishing and ageing celibate priesthood, there is an urgent need to lift as much as possible from some of the many liturgical duties that we expect them to lead us. Once such duty is funerals. Even in his diminishing strength and health we ask our beloved priest to come…
Dear Editor, Your news item about the death of US Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia (IC 18/02/2016) gave the impression that he was an exemplary Catholic. If Catholic values are to be understood as trying to live like the compassionate Jesus of the Gospels, it is difficult to see how the late judge stood out…
Dear Editor, In this Year of Mercy I think it would be a good idea if the bishops of Ireland would set aside a Sunday of atonement for all the sexual, physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological abuse carried out within our Church. How can we expect individuals to seek mercy if we the Church don’t…
Dear Editor, Congratulations to the Transition Year student María Salto Galdón from Alexandra College on her excellent article – ‘The Pope Francis effect on youth’ (IC 18/02/2016). This is a very well-written piece and I recommend that schools take it for discussion at senior level. Our youth need to be encouraged to own their faith and Pope Francis’ leadership is a good way…
The Church teaches that Penance can take place in the framework of a communal celebration, writes Cathal Barry Like all the sacraments, according to the Church, Penance is a liturgical action. The elements of the celebration, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, are ordinarily these: A greeting and blessing from the priest, reading the…
What most moves your heart? I was asked this question recently at a workshop. We were asked to respond to this question: When do you most naturally feel compassion in your heart? For me, the answer came easily. I am most moved when I see helplessness, when I see someone or something helpless to tend…
In a new book published this week Pope Francis answers questions from children around the world, Mags Gargan reports If you could ask Pope Francis one question, what would it be? “How can you settle conflicts in the world?” was a question by Michael from Nigeria (9). William (7) from the USA asked “If you…
Daffodils will soon be blooming all over the garden and out in the wild as spring is still breaking in. Daffodils symbolise renewal and new life which makes them significant to Lent, coming up to Easter. Their brilliant yellow petals brighten up our days and it said that their scent can have a calming and…
Science of Life Oxfam has released figures showing that the richest people on the planet are rapidly growing even richer. The 62 wealthiest people on Earth (you could easily seat them on one bus) have as much money as the entire poorer 50% (3.6 billion) of the global population. And this concentration of wealth at…
Cathal Barry
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Mags Gargan
Erin Fox
William Reville