The View Martin Mansergh A collateral benefit of religious observance is that, from time to time, if one is listening to the readings, one is able to identify the source of familiar sayings. One of the best known is, “if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (St. Mark’s Gospel, 3. 24-5).…
Mind on Fire: A memoir of madness and recovery by Arnold Thomas Fanning (Dublin: Penguin, £14.99) Frank Litton Mental illness is a cruel affliction. There is hardly anybody who has not been touched by it; as a sufferer, or as family, friend or colleague of a sufferer. Mental illness differs from physical illness; the problems it poses…
Matthew Carlson joined thousands of pilgrims on Croagh Patrick to experience a living, breathing Faith The homily given by Tuam’s archbishop Michael Neary related the hardships of climbing Croagh Patrick to the difficulty faced by Catholics in a country that is becoming less Faith focused. As many as 5,000 pilgrims made the journey up…
An Indian federal agency has proposed abolishing the Sacrament of Confession on grounds that Christian priests misuse it to blackmail and target women, but Church officials believe the plan is an unnecessary interference in religious affairs. The National Commission for Women, a body that protects women’s interests, also proposed a federal inquiry into two cases…
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled it will allow the release of a redacted version of a grand jury report on a months-long investigation into sexual abuse claims in six Pennsylvania dioceses, some of which go back decades. In June the court had put a hold on the full report being released because it said it…
The Irish Regional Press, 1892-2018: Revival, Revolution and Republic by Ian Kenneally & James T. O’Donnell (Four Courts Press, €50) Felix M. Larkin This volume, which originated in a conference held in Dublin City University in 2014, is a valuable addition to the growing body of work on Irish media. It comprises 14 essays with a substantial…
Over 100 young people from the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin travelled to Lourdes to reflect, pray for the sick and learn more about their Faith. The one-week annual pilgrimage from July 16-21, led by Bishop Denis Nulty, gave young people the opportunity to meet and talk to one another in a religious atmosphere, and…
Obsessing about how we look is extremely destructive, writes Davis Clark Our constant presence in the digital world leaves us open to the bombardments of advertising, and because we unconsciously, whether by nature or nurture, compare ourselves to those around us, it would seem especially cruel that unreachable and often fabricated ideals are constantly…
WMOF 2018 Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has described new stamps commemorating the Papal visit as a fitting tribute to what he hoped would be “a memorable and uplifting visit of Pope Francis to the World Meeting of Families in Ireland — a visit that presents a great opportunity for the Church and the country”. Speaking…
Chilean prelate to testify over alleged abuse cover-ups The Chilean prosecutor’s office has issued a subpoena to Cardinal Riccardo Ezzati of Santiago regarding his role in the alleged cover-up of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. In a statement released by the Archdiocese of Santiago, Cardinal Ezzati said he was committed to helping victims “search for the truth” and denied any…