Matt Sedensky Seminarians walk along a hallway lined with photos of priests in classes who came before them. Some are pious alumni, who have become their teachers and mentors; others climbed the Catholic hierarchy to be become bishops and cardinals. But there are others: Raymond Leneweaver, Class of 1962, subject of at least 14 victims’…
Two priests in the Philippines have avoided jail time by posting bail after they were charged with trying to destabilise the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Fr Albert Alejo and Fr Flavie Villanueva were indicted in connection with an online video linking President Duterte and his family to illegal activity. The Philippines Department of Justice last…
Jay Niles “Jesus, I trust in you. I could score a touchdown or break a leg and never play again. So whatever is supposed to happen on this play, just let it happen.” These are the words of Hale Hentges, a tight end for American football side Washington Redskins, who goes into every NFL game…
I Want Everything by Marta Bellavista, ed. by Emanuele Polverelli (Itaca Edizioni, Castel Bolognese, Italy, €15.00; contact e-mail: info@itacalibri.it) This is a collection of writings by a truly remarkable person. Marta Bellavista was born in Cesena in Emilia-Romagna in Italy on October 19, 1983. After classical studies she attended the Catholic University in Milan, where…
Fr Ray Kelly says he can “up his game” despite the on-going backlash from critics over his appearance and performance on RTÉ1’s Dancing With The Stars. The singing priest survived another elim-ination on February 16 by securing enough public votes to remain on the show. However, sections of the media and public have voiced their…
We are growing ever more distrustful of words. Everywhere we hear people say: “That’s just talk! That’s nothing but empty words!” Empty words are all around us. Our world is full of lies, of false promises, of glittering advertising that doesn’t deliver, of words never backed up by anything. We trust less and less in…
Well of Living Water: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman by Magdalen Lawler SND (Messenger Publications, €10.95) Connecting Lives: Interbelief Dialogue in Contemporary Ireland by Patricia Kiernan (Veritas, €17.99) The Samaritan woman at the well is a familiar figure, even to those whose memories of the gospels have grown dim. As Sister Lawler points out in…
There might just be something beneficial in our old traditions, writes Róise McGagh This Ash Wednesday falls on February 26, meaning Lent is just around the corner. So, if you’re thinking of sticking to tradition this year, this might be a good time to decide what it is you can live without. Many people opt…
Sr Stan has said she was blown away by the positive response to the documentary on her life. To mark her 80th birthday, Being Stan: A Life in Focus, aired on RTÉ1 on Thursday, February 13. It celebrated her life and work for the homeless and marginalised. “I was taken aback by the response from…
Everyday philosophy Sometimes it’s worth doing philosophy because it has some immediate practical implications, changing what you think is right or the way you live your life. But sometimes it’s worth doing because reality is wonderful, and contemplating it is good in itself. Philosophy of mind is worth thinking about for both reasons. There…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Peter Costello
Ben Conroy