Notebook I recently led a day of reflection with 30 people from my diocese who are in discernment about proceeding to the ministry of catechist or pastoral care worker. The brief I was given and the title of my talk was ‘An Introduction to Theology’. For most present, this was their first formal introduction to…
Our Constitution was not written by a male-pale-and-stale politician, unforgivably taller than Leo, and nor was it supervised by an archbishop notorious for almost always being “displeased”. It was written by great Irish lawyers. And, most importantly, it incorporated many protections for the citizens against the State. The decline and fall of the British Empire…
A view from the Seanad The statement from the Catholic bishops on the referendums on ‘Family’ and ‘Care’ on March 8 is covered elsewhere in these pages, but I’d like to offer a couple of observations. Bishops, these days, are slow to say ‘Vote Yes or No’ to anything. They rightly judge that any direct exhortation can…
So, my cousin and I fell to talking about how differently children are brought up these days in contrast to our childhood, or even to our time as younger mothers – a perennial topic among grandmothers. Modern parenthood focuses on giving children choices, and letting them voice their needs freely. Children should not be coerced…
Eilís Mulroy Earlier this month, former Attorney General, Tánaiste, and Minister for Justice, Senator Michael McDowell revealed that his request to access 64 pages of notes and minutes by the government’s Interdepartmental Group considering the implications of the proposed family and care amendments to the constitution was refused until after the referendum. Senator McDowell dismissed the…
Two neighbouring parishes that I am aware of recently carried out a survey of younger parishioners.Organised through the local secondary schools, the research sought to gauge the general interest and engagement of young people aged 13-15 in the life of the parishes. Perhaps encouragingly for this age group, 73% in the anonymous described themselves as…
A court ruling last week in the US state of Alabama has set the cat among the proverbial pigeons by declaring that unborn children are exactly that – children. Therefore, they must be treated with care by IVF clinics and not thoughtlessly destroyed if no longer needed, which is what these clinics routinely do. The…
As International Women’s Day approaches there is much focus on the current status and situation of women across the world. There will be much celebration about what has been achieved in so many countries. I spent last Saturday in Paris at an International Women’s Day event organised by the National Council of Resistance of Iran. It was…
Wendy Grace In recent years, maybe you, like me, have spotted teens and tweens alongside you in the anti-aging product aisle, and realised they weren’t shopping for their mom. Lately there has been a huge upsurge in young adults obsessing over skin care regimes at an age when they don’t need one at all. When…
John Lavenburg According to a top official with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, the unity of the Church that would be represented on a papal visit to Argentina could help create a new social dialogue and unity in the country at a critical economic and political juncture. “In the Church we are together. People…
Senator Ronan Mullen
Mary Kenny
Michael Kelly
David Quinn
Nuala O’Loan