Susan GatelyYounger people, fearful of adding chemicals to their bodies, are re-discovering natural family planning, writes Susan Gately
Month: October 2016
Contemplative prayer
Fr Ronald RolheiserContemplative prayer, as it is classically defined and popularly practised, is subject today to considerable scepticism in a number of circles. For example, the method of prayer, commonly called Centring Prayer, popularised by persons like Thomas Keating, Basil Bennington, John Main, and Laurence Freeman, is viewed with suspicion by many people who identify it with…
Government urged to fix child protection vetting backlog
Courtney McGrailJohn Reid The Government has been urged to provide more resources to ensure that a huge backlog in child protection vetting does not continue to hamper local schools. Educators have complained that the current system, while entirely welcome in its aim of safeguarding children, is at risk of defeating its purpose as massive delays are being…
New cardinals show Pope wants contemplative missionaries
Spiritan Bishop Maurice Piat from Mauritius, who studied for the priesthood in Ireland and Rome in the 1960s, said that he first heard the news of his recent nomination as cardinal when a friend phoned to congratulate him. He didn’t believe it. Asked by a journalist what he thought his elevation meant, Bishop Maurice said…
Synod on youth is a vital opportunity
“Each new generation and culture requires the imagination of everyone to develop and present the message of the Gospel”, writes Gerard Gallagher
The Wexford carols: the music of worship
Peter CostelloWorld of Books
New lessons in purpose of education
Catholic Education in the Light of Vatican II and Laudato Si’ by Dermot A. Lane (Veritas, €7.99)
The future of Europe imperilled?
Europe in Crisis. Studies Special Issue, Autumn 2016 (Messenger Publications, €10)
Screening in and screening out
Brendan O’ReganA World Without Down’s Syndrome? on BBC 2, Wednesday of last week was a compelling personal documentary by actress Sally Phillips on the issue of our attitudes to Down’s Syndrome, made all the more relevant by her having a son, Olly, who has the condition. Phillips had questions: What kind of society do we want to…
Paternal bonding amidst a hail of bullets
Aubrey MaloneBlood Father (15A)