Fr Ronald RolheiserChristians need to follow Jesus
Category: Opinion
A surreal peace in Jerusalem
Stunned at the normality as life goes on
The ‘alluring curse’ of addiction to heroin
Mary KennyI felt very sad about the late Peaches Geldof (pictured) when her inquest was made public last week – her death having taken place in April. It was disclosed that 79 heroin syringes were found in her home in Kent, plus a large stash of high-quality heroin. Due to her death, her baby son Phaedra…
A jolly fine game
Is golf a genuine sport? A veteran sports writer, Simon Barnes, has suggested that it is not, because "sport should involve some risk". Golf is way too comfortable to be a real sport, he suggests. It's no more a sport than croquet – a mere pastime. I've always had mixed feelings about golf,…
Standing with the ‘Nazarenes’
Bravo to France for taking the initiative in offering asylum and protection to beleagured Iraqi Christians from Mosul. The French press has followed these dreadful persecutions much more closely than the mainstream press in the English-speaking world. Ironic that the French Republic, so affirmatively a secular state, has been the most responsive to afflicted…
Failed by the system
Again the State has been found wanting in caring for children, writes Shane Dunphy
Recognising the value of seal of Confession
Paul KeenanDear Editor, Paul Keenan’s warning about the threat to the seal of confession is timely indeed, ‘Breaking the seal’ (IC 17/7/14). Sacerdotal privilege has traditionally been recognised by the courts of the Republic of Ireland – though the Supreme Court, in a 2001 appeal by the ‘Church of Scientology’ against a judgment which refused privilege…
The seal of Confession must not be broken
Dear Editor,When we confess our sins it is to reconcile ourselves to God. The priest acts for God and only he can forgive our sins. We are taught from a young age that it is a grievous sin for the confessor to break the trust of the penitent and therefore I find it an insult…
The clear implications of gay marriage
Dear Editor,We are due to have a referendum as to whether or not to write same-sex ‘marriage’ into our national law. Unfortunately, some people tend to think ‘if that’s how gay people want it, then why disallow it to them?’ while others argue ‘why not just call it Gay Union?’ We should vote only after…
A bad experience of multi-faith rooms
Dear Editor, Your lead story last week, ‘Hopsital Catholic chapel to be replaced by mutli-faith centre’ (IC 17/7/14) reminded me a very recent visit I paid to a multi-faith room in Leeds Bradford International Airport two weeks ago. Intrigued by such facilities, I try to pay a visit whenever I see them offered and the…