Dear Editor, Writing as a Catholic theologian, may I express my astonishment and disappointment at those theologians and prominent Catholics who support a ‘yes’ vote. In every case that I have read or heard, none of these people has referred to the actual teaching of Jesus on marriage (see Mark 10:1-12). Jesus’ teaching is surely…
Courtney McGrail
Rediscovering the joy of Confession
Dear Editor, The article by Ben Conroy ‘There is nothing weird about going to Confession’ (IC 23/04/2015), struck me as being mature, authentic and lovely. He refers to young Catholics drifting away from Confession, but older Catholics have drifted away also partly, I would say, as a reaction against an earlier overemphasis on sin and underemphasis…
No need to ban church photography
Dear Editor, The Irish Independent recently carried an over-the-top front page headline ‘Church photos banned amid child abuse fears’. Your very fine editorial (IC 07/05/2015) correctly identifies the unnecessary alienation caused by “bureaucratic overreach”. My own belief is that the ban is in place because of the irreverence and distracting behaviour that accompanies amateur photography…
Year of Mercy is an opportunity for revival
Dear Editor, In recent years Ireland has gone through a lot of changes, sadly we seem to be losing our Christian faith to some degree and this may well continue. Pope Francis has called a special holy year dedicated to the Divine Mercy from the end of 2015 to the end of 2016 and there…
Shocked by incredible cuts to the Accord agency
Dear Editor, Like many Catholics I’m sure, I was shocked to read that the Government has withdrawn funding to Accord marriage preparation courses (IC 14/05/2015). Whether or not it was connected to the marriage referendum, it was an incredible move from a Government that has been preaching about the importance of marriage over the last…
Priests are deserving of some sympathy
Dear Editor, A certain amount of sympathy must be extended to some priests of the Irish Catholic Church. Many may have felt that, through deeper and long-term thought, they have lost their vocation, and that the Catholic Church is not for them. A few of these may feel that they are no longer fitted for…
Life’s Little Things
The Author Winston Pendleton wrote “The best way to get a puppy is to beg for a baby brother and they’ll settle for a puppy every time”. Despite having provided both a baby brother and sister, my children tell me that they still want a pet. As a youngster, I lived in terror of my…
For Salvadorans, Romero is beacon of hope
Violence left untreated becomes a ‘cancer’, writes Rhina Guidos
Vatican Round-up
‘Francis effect’ having tangible benefits for Church’s charities The “Francis Effect” is having a real impact on the work of Caritas Internationalis, the Church’s umbrella group of 164 aid and development charities, according to the Rome-based network’s secretary-general. Michael Roy says while the global economic crisis has meant few of the charities report significant increases…
Kylemore Abbey signs deal with Notre Dame
The Benedictine Community at Kylemore Abbey in Co. Galway and the University of Notre Dame in the United States have formed a partnership to create a centre to advance their shared spiritual, cultural and educational missions. The Abbess at Kylemore Abbey, Mother Maire Hickey said she was “delighted” that the university “has responded favourably to…