Brendan Hoban: We’re richer for religion, so why abandon it ?
Western People. 10.9.2024 A quarter of a century ago, at the turn of the millennium, the poet Aidan Mathews wrote a stark piece in the Irish Times, lamenting how our…
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Presider’s Page for 15 September (Ordinary Time 24)
In our journey through life we walk the path Jesus walked, so it is hard for us to escape suffering, no more than he could. We remember his suffering and death, knowing that it brought him glory and that it will do the same for us.
Tony Flannery writes: This is a true account of one priest’s experience with his superiors, and I think it is worth putting up here as an example of the type of attitude still being adopted by some Church superiors in dealing with their priests.
(Some changes simply to preserve the identity of the priest in question.) One anonymous person made a series of complaints against this priest, who worked in a parish and was…
Vatican News: Pope to people of Timor-Leste: Let your faith be your culture!
Addressing government leaders, representatives of civil society, and diplomats, Pope Francis invites the Timorese people allow their principles, projects, and choices to be inspired by their faith. By Christopher Wells…
Jim Cogley – Reflections: Tues 10 Sept – Mon 16 Sept 2024
After the close of a busy but fruitful pilgrimage season last night, it’s now time for recuperation, to come apart and rest awhile. It was lovely to meet lots of people…
Seán Walsh: September 8. Mary’s Birthday
September 8. Mary’s birthday. Mary mother of Jesus. ‘Held him for the very first time in a stable… ‘Held him in her arms when he was lowered from a cross….
Brendan Hoban: Patsy’s new book will stand the test of time
Western People 3.9.2024 Patsy McGarry, a proud native of Ballaghaderreen, has followed his recent retirement as the Religious Correspondent of the Irish Times, with a compelling retrospective account of his…
Gerry O’Connor CSsR, ACP Leadership Team: ‘Artificial Intimacy’ 23rd Sunday Year B 2024
Link to Gerry’s homily for this Sunday, 23rd Sunday of the Year (B):
Séamus Ahearne: Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage (Anais Nin)
Coldplay and Oasis and Niall Horan and Taylor Swift: The Concert: Swooning. Overwhelmed. Magical. Those who could describe the experience used such words and for most times, were incapable of…
Letter from John J Shea, OSA, to Bishops of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales
Dear Bishops of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, A while ago, I wrote to Cardinal Hollerich, enclosing an article from Crux (8/14) (Article printed in previous post on this site – Ed)…
Crux Now: South African Archbishop warns men will pay for the harm they’ve done to women
Ngala Killian Chimtom Aug 14, 2024, Africa Correspondent YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – Archbishop Buti Joseph Tlhagale of Johannesburg in South Africa is warning men will be held accountable for the abuses…
Sean Walsh: In The Wings
IN THE WINGS And here! Here’s one for you! Doesn’t one of the men Mammy lets into our pub of a Sunday write plays? PLAYS! I heard her tellin’ Fanny…
Tony Flannery: The Root and Branch conference in Leeds
(Updated with link to Tony’s presentation) Last weekend I attended the conference organised by Root and Branch in Leeds, entitled Empowering Ourselves. In the past fifteen years I have attended…
Presider’s Page for 8 September (Ordinary Time 23)
God’s healing power was seen in the ministry of Jesus, and continues in the sacraments, in advances in medicine and in the work of the caring professions. Today we pray for strength, trusting that God will continue to show compassion to the whole world.
Vatican News: Pope Francis arrives in Jakarta, Indonesia
After more than 13 hours aboard the papal flight, Pope Francis lands in Jakarta, as he sets forth upon his 45th Apostolic Journey abroad, and longest thus far of his…
Jim Cogley – Reflections: Tues 3 Sept – Mon 9 Sept 2024
Tues 3rd Sept – Celebrate Life This week’s postings are excerpts from the Celebrate Life Liturgy held in Our Lady’s Island on Sunday 1st September: In recent times we have…
Peadar O’Callaghan: NEED OCTOBER BE A WICKED MONTH FOR WOMEN
Breaking with the customs of time It was the title of Edna O’Brien’s (15 December 1930 – 27 July 2024) fourth novel, August is a Wicked Month, first published in 1965…
Brendan Butler: The idea of a permanent hell is tolerable only if God is seen as an autocratic and merciless ruler.
Irish Times, 1 Sept 2024 – Rite & Reason: If we fail to realise our personal potential on Earth, surely it becomes a possibility in the afterlife The Christian death…
Brendan Hoban: We must keep learning the lessons of history
Western People 27.8.2024 I may be wrong but I suspect that few of my readers took in the recent Electric Picnic, Ireland’s biggest outdoor festival. Just over a week or…
Jack Nicas, New York Times: How to Be Truly Free: Lessons From a Philosopher President
Pepe Mujica, Uruguay’s spartan former president and plain-spoken philosopher, offers wisdom from a rich life as he battles cancer. A decade ago, the world had a brief fascination with José…
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