Dear Editor, Since the inception of Pope Francis’ pontificate, there has been a well-intentioned attempt to restore the attractiveness of the Gospel for those to whom it has lost its sheen. However, this has played out as the soft-pedalling of the gravity of moral doctrine on human sexuality in a post-Vatican II spirit of Jesuitical…
Month: October 2014
A strong case for women deacons
Dear Editor, While the issue of the non-ordination of women to the priesthood is final, is it possible that their acceptance to the diaconate will eventually be accepted by the Magisterium of the Church? I venture to say that their acceptance would be welcomed by clergy and laity alike, although I acknowledge there would be…
Better religious instruction in school
Dear Editor, There is lots of talking about the lack of vocations to the priesthood and religious life but no word at all about the lack of religious instruction in our national schools since Vatican II. It is nonsense to expect young men and young women to give their lives to Jesus Christ when they…
Time to challenge narrow thinking
Dear Editor, David Quinn’s article “Time for Church leaders to help students who have been silenced in our colleges” (IC 09/10/14), highlights the apparent intolerance for pro-life or Catholic views in our universities among student unions and the student body, and calls for Church leaders to support Christian students. To be openly Christian in universities…
Adults can lead by example at Mass
Adults can lead by example at Mass Dear Editor, For thousands of people who were never taught good catechesis, the Catholic Church is assessed by how they see its members (including priests) behaving in the ordinary living of life. The Church is also judged by the quality of honour, adoration and meaningfulness associated with…
It’s always better to take the difficult road
Dear Editor, As scripture says, “the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it, but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life and only a few find it. (Matt 7:13-14). All the Catholic Church can do is light up the narrow road that leads…
Signs of a new spring for Egypt’s exhausted Christians
Is the tide turning for Egypt’s Christians? If the Middle East contains any lessons over the last few years, it is that matters in the region can turn on a hair. Sadly, too, it has been instructive to watch the precarious fortunes of minority Christian communities whose long histories in nations have guaranteed them nothing…
Natural law exists for a good reason
The pollution of the water supplies is affecting birds and fish
Hospital chaplains face fresh threat
Failure to fill vacant chaplain posts in Irish hospitals could force chaplaincy training centres here to close
Catholic leaders see a new Ukraine
The task of the Catholic Church is not only to teach people how to pray, but how to live authentically Christian lives, two leaders of the Ukrainian Catholic Church said. The Church’s ministers also have an obligation to accompany, support and minister to their followers in the midst of strife and even danger, said…