It was a bizarre day to be tuned in – imaginary petrol shortages in the UK, the English Labour Party locked in a debate about what constituted a woman, feminist icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg having one of her quotes re-imagined, with the removal of the term ‘woman’. I wondered what sort of alternative universe I…

For some reason, coincidence or God-incidence, the theme of vocation has featured a few times in the media this week. 75 Years in Japan (RTÉ One, Thursday) was one of the most marvellously inspiring and moving programmes I’ve seen this year. This documentary told the story of Jennie O’Sullivan who became Sr Paschal when she…

Last week I mentioned near death experiences in the context of Joe Duffy’s interview with Jane Seymour. I never know what to make of these accounts – are they hallucinations resulting from medication or real glimpses of the afterlife? Calls That item prompted calls to Liveline (RTÉ Radio One, Tuesday) from listeners who had similar…

I don’t like the phrase “whatever you’re comfortable with”. Yes, it may be someone trying to make you feel relaxed, but at other times it can be the setting of a low bar, as if the aim of life is to be ‘comfortable’. Many of the people we admire went way outside their comfort zones…

It’s not often you hear the Beatitudes highlighted on mainstream radio, especially on a current affairs programme. And so I was glad to hear ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’ referenced on Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio One, Friday), in the context of the sad passing of Pat Hume, wife of John. Her contribution to the peace process…

With so much grim stuff in the media you’d need a few uplifting programmes every week to keep the spirits high. This past week the best of these for me was Nationwide (RTÉ One, Wednesday) a repeat of a special documentary presented by Colm Flynn on the work of Sr Ethel Normoyle from Lissycasey, Co.…

If there are, broadly speaking, two sides of an argument, I like to hear from both sides together. Too often inadequately informed or biased presenters just have one side at a time and are unable or unwilling to put the hard questions. So, I enjoyed the discussion on the Pat Kenny Show (Newstalk, Wednesday) between…

Confession: I’ve developed a taste for dark thrillers – with plenty on Netflix, while Channel 4 has their Walter Presents series, where they show the first episode of a series on live television and then the full series online via All 4. Dark Stockholm Requiem (All Four) is one that is pretty dark, starting as it…

Normally I’d be very pleased to find a programme where the Rosary figured prominently but on the main channels this doesn’t happen very often. However, it was a mixed blessing on The 8th (RTÉ One, Wednesday) that much-hyped documentary on the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. It’s often said that the victor writes the history,…

With return of blocked sacraments imminent, I’m still mystified by how the State presumed to ban sacraments. How come Baptisms, until last week’s easing, couldn’t happen at ceremonies where 50 people have been allowed for some time now? On Today With Claire Byrne (RTE Radio 1, Thursday) Fr Joe McDonald of Celbridge and Straffan parish…