Author: Mattie Long

Brian Eyre, writing from Brazil, outlines his vision of how priesthood may evolve in the (near) future.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/world/australia/australia-catholic-church-child-abuse.html

The New York Times carries an interesting article about a study that examines child sexual abuse worldwide in the Roman Catholic Church that has found the Australian church has done less to safeguard children in its care than its counterparts in similar countries have.

The report, released on Wednesday by the Center for Global Research at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, also found that the church’s requirement that priests be celibate was a major risk factor for abuse.

Brian Fahy shares a reflection on counting the blessings of life

Sean McDonagh writes about the origins and spread of a form of Sunni Islam called Wahhabism that is having profound effects on world affairs.

Brendan Hoban, writing in the Western People, comments on the factors that may influence the outcome of the proposed referendum on the eight amendment to the constitution.
“In a strange way the vote may break down not in terms of how convincing the arguments are one way or the other but how the debate is conducted by the different protagonists.”

Pope Francis gives local bishops more responsibility for Mass translations.
“In order that the renewal of the whole liturgical life might continue, it seemed opportune that some principles handed on since the time of the [Second Vatican] Council should be more clearly reaffirmed and put into practice.”

Seamus Ahearne reflects on current happenings and events and is inspired by them and the ocean’s currents.
“… the core of the Church message is to draw out the goodness and beauty of every person.  We have to bring out the best in each other. We have to join as a collective and come ashore hand in hand – fully believing in this Communion. The false divisions of the past have to be cast aside. We need to be fearless in making big and new decisions.  Francis is leading the way. Throw caution to the wind! How dare we fail as teachers, as ministers, as people of faith. We cannot settle for less than greatness.”

Mattie Long sees the newly implemented policy in Kerry diocese about Sunday funerals as a symptom of a problem that is not being confronted in realistic and creative ways.

Chris McDonnell writing in the Catholic Times suggests that one of the fruits of a ‘Year of the People’ would be to ‘offer a forum for an exchange between the once silent majority and the decision making minority.’ It ‘would give us the framework for open discussion in an honest and sincere manner. ‘
Is there an appetite for such a year?

Brian Fahy in looking back at years that have passed points to an important lesson. “‘Forgive and forget’ will not do. ‘Remember and forgive’ seems to be a far better way to healthy living today.”