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 finding the language to describe what had happened. I drove down Drumcondra Road and attempted to turn into Clonliffe Road at 13.45 on Monday. The area was swarming with Gardaí. At that hour. And this was in readiness for Coldplay that evening in Croke Park. Tickets were gold dust. I heard of some ‘senior’ songsters and musicians (or auld wans) turning up and even an undertaker! The Report was that this Concert was wonderful. All ages. Some 80,000 of every age and everyone so happy. Some of the above (auld wans)  managed to be staff for the night! But how do all these people afford to be there? Did I hear it cost a minimum of €80 for a basic ticket?

Music! Music! Music!

I was thinking then of Electric Picnic. Even of Curraghmore with ‘All Together Now.’  (In my working days in Curraghmore – Lord Waterford’s Estate,  I never thought such a show was ever possible). There was recently a concert in Kilmainham. Niall Horan  managed to have Ed Sheeran appearing. And with Coldplay in Croke Park – Aslan played. I wonder how Christy Dignam (or Ciara) would have felt? As for Taylor Swift – the whole world turned out for her. And then for Oasis – everything and everywhere is booked out (a year in advance) for those two codgers who haven’t spoken to each other for years. What a hullabaloo! Where does the money come from for such occasion? I must have been missing for multiple of years; none of these groups have reached my innards.

I do recommend the BBC Proms (on TV). I love the idea but never quite get around to watching much of it. I think that I am jealous for not being able to sing or play music. Lyric FM does accompany me in many places. But I am very ignorant on all music. I do see Music as essential in Liturgy and that is above all with Congregational Singing. I can’t accept at all that Choirs have to take over for their performances. Or then be given holidays for the Summer while the main body of the Kirk goes silent. However, I did go to a Nursing Home on Wednesday and brought along Jack, who is about to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of his marriage with Sally. Jack sang all the old hymns and then ended Mass with lots of songs from the past. The poor folk at Mass in the Nursing Home were sleepy and non-responsive, but the Mass brought back something from the past; the hymns woke them up; and the old Songs later, had many of them joining in.  That was their concert.

Visitors: Young folk;  Bishops’ School.

I had many visitors staying with me in recent months. Some young ones. They would arrive early and then would dress up to go out or rather dress down. I was freezing and they were wearing very little. Of course they were going to a concert or going to a rave. They would reappear in the middle of the night very quietly, I can add. I also had the usual visitors arriving for a further module in Liturgy to this Centre of Excellence! That usually includes a bishop. He does adapt when he is here. And learns. I’m not convinced that when he leaves, his new learnings are fully absorbed into his psyche. He does rest very easily among us and gently is dragged into a rather wild community, surrounded (during his short visits) by multiple pastoral problems. All of which occur many times daily around here.

It is lovely to see bishops having such an opportunity. So many are overwhelmed by the issues that swill over them at HQ. They need us to call them out among us for refreshment. We don’t need them for Formal Occasions. They need us for a dose of the ordinary. Wasn’t there someone from the Diocese (Dublin) – John Kennedy who got upgraded in Rome? I thought Francis was strong on not assigning the title of Bishop to people working in the Vatican. I thought an office in Rome did not need such a title. Moreover, a Bishop has to be essentially a pastoral person and not office bound. Isn’t it now time that the office of Bishop became time limited? Say eight years. The indelible mark is a nonsense from a past age. It might also be easier to find people to accept the office if there was a fixed term. I know that Francis has been, and is, a disgrace, for  old age. He goes on forever. Isn’t it amusing that the Gardaí and the Fire-people and the Defence Forces can now stay on until 62 if they wish? Of course the Church people have spiritual endurance unknown to such folk. We go on forever too. Like Francis.

That Scoping Inquiry:

That Scoping Inquiry on Religious Schools came out during the week. The allegations mentioned were shocking. Of course it was about Catholic Religious Schools. RTÉ used a picture to go with their comments: A Bible and a Rosary beads. That is lazy and cheap. It is unacceptable. There is to be a Commission of Investigation. Now our history on such Tribunals, Inquiries and Commissions hasn’t been very useful. It is shocking and frightening that abuse of any kind happened in the schools run by Religious. But it is also probably true that it was mainly Religious who ran schools, who provided education in this State. However, it makes sense for any such probe would take in all schools.

The past culture in education was rather laced with punishment and physical discipline and was a prevailing atmosphere of the time. Classes were huge. But abuse of any kind is wrong. Sexual abuse is in every sense, disgraceful. That Religious were involved shatters the foundation of our business in faith. However, those of us who have worked with abuse victims and abusers, know that this issue is a whole societal issue and scapegoating any sector avoids the core problem. And that is where any real probe or commission needs to go. It is convenient to attack and target. It is also very popular. But the issue is much deeper and wider.

The incredulity around Trump:

I am very confused. I can’t understand it. How is it possible for Religious people or  sincere and believing Catholics in America to support Donald Trump? How is it possible for the people of America to continue believing in their country’s need for Trump as a leader? It is beyond me. The cant in football comes to mind: Anyone but MU or for now, anyone but Trump. Trump’s values are utterly unambiguous as a moral vacuum. Truth is irrelevant. Women can be treated badly. The Justice System is right only if it accepts his view. The Supreme Court had to bend to his wishes. He is let loose as a bully and treats everyone with a total lack of courtesy. And he is there to be elected. God help us. God help America. God help the free world.

The Paralympics:     

What an extraordinary display by people overcoming their disabilities. We have to celebrate their abilities and their commitment. They are an inspiration.    

Seamus Ahearne osa   5^th September 2024.