If I were asked to preside over, or contribute to, a humanist funeral, or a “naming ceremony” for the children of non-believers, I would have to respond that I was not the appropriate person, since I am a Catholic Christian. Yet it seems that some atheists or agnostics, when asked to sponsor a child for…
One of the most striking Tweets I saw – in connection with the Referendum debate – was from a young man who said he was deeply “angered” to notice that so many pro-life demonstrators were women. At least he noticed that fact. It’s a point which has been either studiously ignored or entirely missed by…
Ireland has been named one of the most equal societies in the world, but one remaining field of inequality, we are told, is between the young and the old. About 60% of the wealth of the State is in the hands of those over 55, even though this age-group is just less than a quarter…
This is the season for clearing out our winter wardrobes, and digging out spring and summer clothes: a task which can prompt many reflections on our lifestyles and homespun philosophy about sartorial indulgence. As I unzip the bags full of seasonal apparel, I wonder just how much time, money and effort is spent in the…
The report issued this week by the HSE on the harm that alcohol abuse does to others is described as “new”. ‘The Untold Story: Harms Experienced in the Irish Population Due to Others’ Drinking’ is to be welcomed, but its contents are anything but new, and anything but untold. The same message could have been…
It’s six months now since I was obliged to leave the lovely old flat in central Dublin which I had rented for 21 years. It was on the second floor of an old Georgian building and I loved it. It was full of books and old things, nooks and crannies, memorabilia and memories and I…
Growing up in Dublin in the 1950s and 60s, I never heard the word ‘rape’. That is not to deny the reality of sexual assault – we know that it can occur in all societies. But the older women in my family, and the various teachers, neighbours and friends with whom I came in contact…
As we know, Easter was deliberately chosen as the date for the Rising, because of the religious association with both sacrifice and resurrection. Some Catholic commentators have judged this was not appropriate – faith symbols used for a political movement – but be that as it may, it was meaningful to the men and women…
I opened my mouth to speak, last weekend, and what emerged sounded like the strangled bleatings of an afflicted ewe. By Monday I was entirely speechless, my voice chords silenced by a nasty attack of laryngitis. Whispering and written messages were the only replacements. People were understanding when I signalled “I’ve lost my voice” –…
It seems to me regrettable that the general discussions around the points that Mary McAleese makes in her critique of the Catholic church often seem so insular. Seldom are there any references to other faith traditions – on the question of ordaining women – be it Judaism and Islam, Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Anglicanism and…