Modern oral histories can shed light on the Gospel narratives, writes Greg Daly Looking back on the Easter Rising 33 years later when interviewed by the Bureau of Military History, Bobby Holland, an apprentice butcher and a member of the Volunteers during the rebellion, seemed slightly indignant. “I was brought down to kill another beast…
We can expect a positive and hopeful tone from Pope Francis, writes Sebastian Gomes Sebastian Gomes We’re still awaiting the definitive conclusion to the synods on family life in the form of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation. Since the 1960s, an apostolic exhortation has been the traditional form of teaching that concludes a Synod of Bishops;…
Dear Editor, For over 40 years we were the fortunate parents of a beautiful son called Francis who had Down Syndrome. Francis passed away in 2013 and we will never get over our loss. We miss him so much. There isn’t a day we don’t think of Francis, quote him or reminisce amongst ourselves or…
Dear Editor, On March 15 the Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia), presented a report at Stormont – What Survivors Want from Redress. This document, compiled by survivors, with the help of local and international experts, is a vitally important statement addressed to both Church and State. I was privileged to be invited to…
Dear Editor, Your article in regard to the Commission on the Protection of Minors (IC 17/03/2016) based on my recent interview with The Irish Catholic, confused two issues about which I had spoken. One issue was a lack of clarity around future funding of the commission and the other was the refusal by elements of…
Dear Editor, Mary Kenny’s column (IC 10/03/2016 ‘Don’t terminate – donate organs, urge British doctors’) seemed somewhat disappointing. First, she declined to question a proposed “legal right to terminate the pregnancy” in cases of fatal foetal abnormality. She thus emitted to highlight the huge moral difference between dying and killing. Next, your columnist neglected to…
Dear Editor, I write regarding Sr Eileen Clear’s letter (IC 03/03/2016). I agree with Church teaching on capital punishment as it has developed to respect the value and dignity of human life in all contexts, including those of abortion, euthanasia, and violent crime. Bur her contention that “For Scalia, the law and constitution always came…
Dear Editor, Last week our acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny, in front of assembled Americans, stupidly insulted every Christian and embarrassed the majority of Irish people by using the expression “Be Jaysus”. This is not the kind of leadership I want for my country. Please, step aside Enda! Yours etc., Anne McGrath, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
Cathal Barry takes a look at who receives and who administers the Sacrament of the Sick The Church teaches that Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death”. “Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness…
As Jesus is being crucified he utters these words: “Forgive them, they know not what they do.” It is not easy to say these words and it is perhaps even more difficult to grasp them in their depth. What does it mean, really mean, to understand and forgive a violent action against you? There are…
Greg Daly
Cathal Barry
Fr Ronald Rolheiser