It’s great to come upon a programme that’s inspiring, informative and well made. I got all three last Monday night with Heart of a Servant – The Father Flanagan Story (RTÉ One). It was a high-quality documentary about the Irish priest who founded Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. I knew the bare bones of the story,…
The earthquakes in Venezuela dominated news and current affairs coverage last week, as the numbers of casualties rose daily. On Sunday (BBC Radio 4) Edward Stourton, describing Venezuela as a mainly Catholic country, spoke to Bishop Carlos Marquez from Caracas, the capital. He said the Venezuelan people were noted for their solidarity, and that the…
I was downcast last week to see a vote in the Dáil supporting a wider abortion regime. Our mainstream media have tended to avoid the abortion issue, a kind of ‘don’t spook the horses’ approach, but it did get an airing last week. Liveline (RTÉ Radio 1, Tuesday) gave the issue detailed coverage, and the…
In our search for meaning in life, we sometimes reach for the sky. In a very significant and metaphorical way, that seems to be the drive behind ‘God’s architect’ Antoni Gaudí’s massive basilica, the Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona. Last week Pope Leo XIV inaugurated a new tower in this building – the Tower of Jesus…
It should be no surprise that I’m interested in stories about journalists, and I’m particularly drawn to stories about war correspondents on the front line. The Road to Hope with Fergal Keane (BBC News, Thursday) was a reflective and retrospective documentary narrated by the Irish journalist who worked for the BBC for years. It was…
I finished last week’s column with a brief mention of Pope Leo’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas on the theme of AI. Subsequently the document was well noted and received in the media. On Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1) Tuesday of last week, I liked Audrey Carville’s introduction on the Pope’s call for the ‘disarming’ of AI…
It’s good to see a high-profile drama series that takes religion seriously and doesn’t fall into too many lazy stereotypes. In Falling (Channel 4, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) Keeley Hawes excels as Sr Anna, who entered the convent at age 16 against the wishes of her mother. Twenty years later, a chance encounter with a young…
After covering some contentious issues in the last few weeks, I’m back on a positive trail this week. There have been some good news stories. On Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1, Tuesday) Aaron McElroy reported from the ordination of young priest Fr Stephen Sherry in Monaghan. An increase of interest in vocations was noted along…
here is no lack of hot button issues. As soon as one is discussed and fades, another lands to take its place. It’s a queue of controversies. Last week RTÉ seemed to be throwing its weight behind moves to progress surrogacy legislation. No fewer than three speakers in favour were interviewed last Wednesday morning, while…
Here we go again – another effort in Leinster House to liberalise our abortion laws, courtesy of the Social Democrats. Is there not enough death? Party leader Holly Cairns TD was interviewed briefly on Today with David McCullagh (RTÉ One, Tuesday). The host challenged her with a relevant point – the people voted to repeal…