Children from the Junior Infants class in Guardian Angels’ National School, Blackrock, Dublin taking part in the annual nativity play: (l-r) Dylan, Meabh, Emily and Sabrina. Photo: Anne Collins
Courtney McGrail
Christmas boom times are back
Dear Editor, It was interesting to read your front page story last week (‘Families need secure homes this Christmas – Archbishop’) in which Archbishop Eamon Martin called on the Government to do more to help indebted families who are dreading the financial pressures of Christmas. There seems to be a Celtic Tiger sense of giddiness…
Irish priests are theologically competent
Dear Editor, In relation to Fr Oliver Rafferty’s concerns about the content of the theology courses in St Patrick’s College (‘Maynooth rejects claim it pays ‘lip service’ to theology’ IC 03/12/2015). Msgr Hugh Connolly should not be placed in the position where he feels compelled to defend the college of which he is president. My…
Devastated by deceit of false baptisms
Dear Editor, Only recently did I become aware of the decision of some non-practicing Catholics to have their children baptised in their local parish church. Why? Simply because they cannot get the child into the local school unless he/she has a baptismal certificate. Even though the parents and their adult family responded to all the…
Act quickly on climate change agreement, Pope urges
The international community must act decisively and follow the path mapped out at the Paris climate summit, Pope Francis has said. Speaking after the Angelus on Sunday, December 13, the Pope recognised how the agreement signed at the Climate Change Conference (COP21) had been “described by many as historic”, but stressed that “its implementation will…
News in Brief
US nuns and sisters more ethnically diverse, study shows Religious life in the US is becoming more multi-ethnic and more international according to a new study, Understanding US Catholic Sisters Today, commissioned by Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA), which represents about 50 philanthropic organisations. The report, which highlights the major findings of recent sociological studies of women religious, said only…
Vatican economic chief “too ill” to fly to abuse inquiry
Ill health has forced Cardinal George Pell to be excused from appearing in person at Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse until February. Justice Peter McClellan, chairing the commission’s inquiry, said he had received an email “to advise that the cardinal is currently affected by serious health conditions that, in the…
Jesuits condemn removal of South African finance minister
The Jesuit Institute South Africa has expressed its concern about President Jacob Zuma’s removal of Nhlanha Nene as the country’s Minister of Finance, claiming that the decision “spells disaster for the stability of an embattled economy” and raises questions about President Zuma’s ability to lead the country. Although finance minister for just over 18 months,…
Vatican News
Love and truth are central to mercy, says CDF chief Mercy is a grace that comes from on high and changes our lives, taking us as we are but not leaving us as we are, according to Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Speaking in an interview, the cardinal described Confession as “paradigmatic of mercy”, saying…
Ireland’s military neutrality is a policy, and not an orientation
Dear Editor, Martin Mansergh (The View, IC 03/12/2015) states how “our military neutrality is a policy”. As such, it primarily concerns our interests. Yet our ideals or values arise as well. Bunreacht na hÉireann (Art. 29) mentions the “pacific (ie non-belligerent) settlement of international disputes”. Hence a constitutional endorsement of the “ideal of peace”. Historically,…