Dear Editor, I write as we mark Coeliac Awareness Week. Five years on from diagnosis, I could recount several episodes where I have returned from Mass exasperated and wondering how more complicated sharing in Holy Communion can get. Many queries and letters later, I am perplexed as to why there cannot be agreement and clarity…
Courtney McGrail
Jesus’ clear teachings on non-violence
Dear Editor, When I read the page 1 banner of last week’s The Irish Catholic (05/05/2016) ‘Just War Theory – Pacifism only works when everyone adopts it’, I said to myself “Here we go again!” That has the same faith logic as “Thou shall not steal/commit adultery” only works when everyone adopts the same standard!…
Changes to Junior Cert syllabus are an attack not a reform
Dear Editor, It is annoying to see the current attack by politicians on the Junior Cert syllabus constantly being referred to as a “reform”. It is nothing of the sort. I hope the new Dáil will commit to suspend the brainless forcing through of coursework into the Junior Cert curriculum, whether marked by the classroom…
Letters page warrants expansion
Dear Editor, In reference to Isabella Corr’s letter of 21/04/2016, I second her proposal that the Letters Page warrants expansion, albeit at the expense of advertisements. Your short format is appropriate and your items present pleasant and interesting topics in contrast to the mainstream media ‘rubbish’. Yours etc., Elizabeth McCluskey, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
Economic systems vs human ethics
Dear Editor, In his address to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 2014, President Michael D. Higgins, talking on the shortcomings of the economic theories of our times, had this to say: “The notion that capitalist markets are systems set apart from human ethics, is even shared by many who reject capitalism. “The writings of…
America and 1916: “A poets’ revolution”
Ireland’s Exiled Children: America and the Easter Rising by Robert Schmuhl (Oxford University Press, £19.99)
Learning from other churches
Dear Editor, Regarding chaplaincy support services (IC 14/04/2016 ‘Mass attendance a crude measure of chaplaincy support services’), Texas A&M State University (Aggieland) is of interest. In 2011 Aggieland had 52,775 students. St Mary’s Catholic Centre housed the Catholic campus ministry. Daily Mass attendance averaged 175; Sunday Masses drew between 4,000 and 5,000 worshippers. There were…
Academics argue as Poland faces up to abortion crux
It was probably unsurprising that an April 19 open letter sent to Poland’s bishops from 100 female theologians and others has ruffled feathers online, given it begins with an assurance that its signatories “are Catholics who respect the Church’s moral stance against abortion” but argues that in certain circumstances they “believe that access to early,…
The nuns who mapped the stars
“Up until recently, the women were no more than nameless nuns whose image has long been preserved in a black and white photograph… now their identities have been pulled out of obscurity”, writes Carol Glatz
The problems with evolution – A Catholic overview
Catholicism and Evolution: A History from Darwin to Pope Francis by Michael Chaberek OP (Angelico Press, £14.00pb)