Dear Editor, Cathal Barry (‘Some Catholic teachers feel “intimidated” in faith schools’, IC 22/10/2015) reports that some young teachers feel intimidated or fearful sharing their views on their Catholic faith in Catholic schools. I hope these teachers will take some solace from the words of Cardinal Basil Hume in his book To Be a Pilgrim,…
Courtney McGrail
Hallowe’en decorations a ghoulish step too far
Dear Editor, Each year we see Hallowe’en decorations and merchandise in shops and even restaurants and hotels something similar to the garlands and lighting for Christmas, usually in orange and black and looking as ghoulish as possible. “Hallowe’en” means “hallowed (or holy) evening” (even = e’en) as it preceded All Saints Day on November 1,…
It’s the little things that make a big difference
Adding detail is one of my favourite things about decorating a room. I love how a few simple ornaments and soft furnishings can make such a difference. In fact, it’s a great way to add colour to your room if you’re not quite bold enough to have peacock blue walls! It’s easy to pick up…
An artist born to sing for the nation
An Poc ar Buile: The Life & Times of Seán Ó Sé by Seán Ó Sé with Patricia Ahern (Collins Press, €17.99.
World of Books
By the Books Editor
Derry plans way forward for youth ministry
One 150 delegates attended the recent Diocesan Youth Ministry Conference held in Thornhill College, Derry. Representatives from over 30 parishes, 10 schools and several youth groups came together with clergy, religious and young people to plan the way forward with regard to developing faith opportunities for young people at parish level. John McAreavey was the…
World News in Brief
Syria bishops call for negotiated solutions Syriac Catholic bishops have called for diplomatic solutions to achieve peace in Syria and Iraq. In a statement released at the conclusion of their annual synod, held in Harissa, Lebanon, the bishops urged countries, especially those directly involved in the Syrian conflict, to follow a path of “negotiation to…
Comments on Communion for divorced do not reflect Pope’s thinking – Vatican
The Holy See has distanced itself from claims that Pope Francis told an Italian journalist that ultimately all divorced Catholics who wish to receive Communion will be enabled to do so. Writing in La Republicca, veteran reporter Eugenio Scalfari claimed that during a phone conversation the Pontiff asked what he thought of the conclusions of…
Spanish priest and Italian laywoman arrested for leaking documents
A Spanish priest and an Italian public relations expert have been arrested by the Vatican following an investigation into the leaking of confidential documents from the Holy See. Msgr Lucio Ángel Vallejo Balda and Francesca Chaouqui were arrested after a probe investigating the dissemination of “news and confidential documents” to the journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi, whose…
Central African Republic trip in doubt
Doubts have been raised over Pope Francis’ planned trip to the war-torn Central African Republic later this month. Speaking at Sunday’s Angelus, the Pontiff called for the country’s warring opponents to “put an end to this cycle of violence”, and declared that he “hopes” to visit the beleaguered country. Hitherto a papal visit over November…